Trump threatens to close the border
As hundreds of refugees approach the United States, President Trump threatens to close the U.S. border with Mexico to prevent their entry. The caravan consists primarily of Hondurans, however, it is thought have refugees from several Central American nations. With these refugee’s impending arrival at the U.S. border, President Trump’s stance on immigration remains strong.
President Trump is well known for his conservative immigration policies. He gained popularity during the 2016 election for his proposal to build a wall to separate the U.S. from Mexico. While the wall has not yet been built, Trump’s subsequent policies towards immigration continue to be conservative.
In April 2018, a similar caravan of migrants approached the U.S. border. Upon their arrival in Tijuana, Mexico, they were denied entry into the United States. Trump aims to act similarly when the new caravan arrives at the border.
Many of the refugees seek protection in the U.S. Asylum which is currently offered to anyone within the U.S. who can prove that they are unable to return to their home country safely. Those who are not yet in the U.S., however, are not granted asylum.
It is likely that the most recent refugees will not be accepted into the U.S. or granted asylum. According to President Trump, it is Mexico’s responsibility to halt the migration of refugees. Trump then tweeted that he would send the American military to the border and close it.
While the future for the refugees remains unclear, President Trump’s policies indicate a conservative response to their arrival.
Hundreds of children remain detained
A New American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) report says that 245 children still remain in government custody at the southern border. This report comes almost four months after President Trump ordered for detained families to be reunited.
Among the 245 children, 175 have parents who have been deported while 70 have parents who remain in the U.S. According to the ACLU, the children have spent an average of five months in custody but some have been detained for over a year.
While no more children are being detained, the process of returning children to their families is ongoing.
“It’s taking forever, and it shouldn’t be taking this long,” said Lee Gelernt, the ACLU’s lead attorney on the child separation lawsuit. “It is an enormous task, but on the other hand, it’s the United States government. When they really prioritize something, they can get it done.”
? Family separation, by the numbers.
We’re making this data available to help illuminate the details of the Trump administration’s devastating policy.
For hundreds of these children, the nightmare isn’t over yet. https://t.co/BqUxQpwgvP
— ACLU ? (@ACLU) October 17, 2018
Rihanna turns down Superbowl
Popular singer and influencer Rihanna denied the offer to play at the 2019 Superbowl in support of Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick, a former 49er’s quarterback, gained worldwide recognition for kneeling during the U.S. national anthem as a protest. Since then, several athletes have followed Kaepernick’s example, sparking controversy. Kaepernick was not offered a renewal when his contract expired at the end of the 2018 season.
Now, Kaepernick serves as a social justice activist advocating for equality. Rihanna echoed Kaepernick’s sentiment and will not perform at the Superbowl.
