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Seeking Asylum in the U.S.
Dec 5, 2024
Ruth Wasson, a former immigration policy researcher, and Maria Cristina Garcia, a Cornell history professor, dive into the complexities of seeking asylum in the U.S. They highlight how historical crises shaped immigration policies, from Jewish refugees during the Holocaust to the Cuban and Haitian struggles during the Cold War. The discussion reveals the unequal treatment of asylum seekers and the urgent challenges they face in today's political climate, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to uphold the nation’s promise of refuge.
52:40
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Quick takeaways
- The U.S. asylum system has evolved through historical crises, reflecting both humanitarian needs and restrictive immigration policies influenced by public sentiment.
- Current regulations impose significant hurdles for asylum seekers, including legal limbo due to court backlogs and requirements for lawful entry.
Deep dives
The Asylum Process and Current Challenges
Asylum seekers in the U.S. are defined by a well-founded fear of persecution based on factors such as race or political opinion, and they navigate a complex system to gain legal status. The Biden administration's regulations require asylum seekers to enter the U.S. lawfully, creating hurdles as many rely on limited appointment slots to establish their claims. The burden of proof for credible fear rests heavily on the asylum seeker, who often lacks necessary documentation while fleeing for their lives. A significant backlog in immigration courts exacerbates this situation, with over 3.7 million cases pending, leaving many asylum seekers in legal limbo for years.
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