Comment by mlrtime
3 days ago
Unfortunately for them they are technically criminals by entering illegally. They all knew they were taking a calculated risk by coming here, some made it, some did not.
Agreed on the reform, we are in a pendulum stage now where the previous admin let too many in without reform (The first 3 years) and how it's gone too far the other way.
Overstay and unlawful presence are civil offenses, not criminal. Vast majority of undocumented people overstay visas and entered legally.
Asylum seekers are being abducted and deported to countries they have no ties to. It's perfectly legal to cross borders without inspection to seek asylum.
They are still deportable crimes. You cannot walk into a country and never leave just "because".
And no, the vast majority are not overstays. Less than half are overstays that came here legally [0]. So 58% crossed the border illegally.
Asylum seekers have been coached on what to say to claim asylum. Few are seeking asylum at all. The system is obviously being abused when these people vacation back to their home country that was so "dangerous" they claimed asylum.
[0] https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47848