The US Admitted a Group of Russians at the Border Under Secret Deal With Mexico

Discussion in 'Immigration' started by Lil Mike, Mar 29, 2022.

  1. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    Vice details how Russian refugees are being let in at the southern border. My question is, isn't Mexico a safe country from the Russian-Ukrainian war? And if they are not refugees from that, why are we letting them in?

    The US Admitted a Group of Russians at the Border Under Secret Deal With Mexico

    TIJUANA, Mexico — A group of Russian citizens who fled their country after the invasion of Ukraine and spent a week camped out at the U.S.-Mexico border was quietly admitted to the U.S. in a secret deal with Mexican officials, VICE World News has learned.

    The group of 35 asylum seekers was whisked away in the predawn hours of March 20 and driven to a part of the border where they wouldn’t be seen: a checkpoint that has been closed to the public for several months.

    There, under cover of night, Mexican immigration officers handed the Russians over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

    Two days before, the Russians had received an offer from a Russian-speaking man who introduced himself as an American diplomat: They would be taken across the border, but only if they broke up their growing encampment on the busy pedestrian crossing between Tijuana and San Diego.

    The secret agreement, brokered by the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana and executed in conjunction with Mexican officials at the federal and state levels, bypassed Title 42, the controversial pandemic-era measure that allows U.S. border authorities to expel or deny entry to asylum seekers without hearing their claims. The policy has left tens of thousands of migrants stranded on the Mexican side of the border.
     
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  2. Le Chef

    Le Chef Banned at members request Donor

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    Some of the following I know you know already, and some of it is non responsive, but it's in my interest to review this kind of info periodically:

    Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a refugee is an alien who, generally, has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Individuals who meet this definition may be considered for either refugee status under Section 207 of the INA if they are outside the United States, or asylum status under Section 208 of the INA, if they are already in the United States.

    As it relates to those Russians, we need more information. They may have persuaded someone in the State Department, through an intermediary, that they really are bona fide refugees opposed to Putin politically, and have been vocal about it. This sets them apart from Guatemalans who aren't persecuted at home, but need a job.

    But the Russians may also be people with sensitive intelligence, or they may be able to help detect Russian hackers. Those last two categories liken them to the Russian ballerinas in the 70s and 80s who "defected" even though they not only had no well founded fear of persecution, they lived like royalty in Moscow!

    We let those kinds of people in, or the State Department does, either to embarrass the other country or because they have Intel. The sovereign has the right to let anyone in that they want.

    As for Mexico being a safe country for Russians, that could be true, but it's only a legal bar to their refugee status once they become "firmly resettled" in a second country.
     
  3. Pro_Line_FL

    Pro_Line_FL Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Anti-war Russians have been camping out at the border in the Mexican side, while Ukrainians have been let in. I opened a thread about it last week.

    As for "why can't they stay in Mexico", - well, because they want to apply in US, not Mexico.
     
  4. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    So it's not about seeking safety, it's about venue shopping for the best country? One that you couldn't get in under normal immigration rules?
     
  5. Pro_Line_FL

    Pro_Line_FL Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Mexico violent crime rates are off the charts, so the choice is obvious.

    Why do you think they would not get in under normal rules?
     
  6. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    "The choice."

    Yes if you are venue shopping, and want to pick great country to immigrate to, the US is top of the list. However these are "refugees" who wanted to get out of a war zone. Well congrats, they're out.

    As far as normal immigration rules, Ukraine is one of those countries that have high emigration rates and no doubt there is a multi year backlog, just like there is for several other countries.
     
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  7. Pro_Line_FL

    Pro_Line_FL Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Russians are not in the war zone, Ukrainians are. I mentioned earlier that Russians are camping out in Mexico while Ukrainians are allowed in. You don't like it? Well, that's just too bad, but US agreed to take some war refugees. Maybe you are happy to hear that vast majority have no interest in coming here, and are staying in Europe.
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2022
  8. Le Chef

    Le Chef Banned at members request Donor

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    It's putatively about seeking safety.

    But it's an imperfect world.

    Which explains why I'm not the President.

    Well, KINDA IT DOES!!!
     
  9. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    Yes, that would make me happy!
     
  10. American

    American Newly Registered

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    Not our problem, they can go to Germany or France or wherever.
     
  11. Pro_Line_FL

    Pro_Line_FL Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Vast majority (practically all of them) have gone to European countries.
     
  12. American

    American Newly Registered

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    Good, keep going.
     
  13. (original)late

    (original)late Banned

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    Many of the Russians leaving their country have skills we can use.

    Of course, if they're holding a nice position with Intel stock, they're rich, and we want them for that reason. :D
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2022
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  14. submarinepainter

    submarinepainter Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Maybe we will get a scientist? I am not against regular Russians
     
  15. Le Chef

    Le Chef Banned at members request Donor

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    Back before the USSR caved, you'd hear stories about "defecting" ballerinas getting asylum. Remember all that?

    Ironically, this was the cream of Russian culture enjoying the best that Russian society had to offer. They weren't suffering persecution. The word "defecting" appears nowhere in Title 8 of the US Code.

    So yeah, it's just a show in some cases.
     
  16. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    If we want and need scientists, we should seek them out, rather than having an open call for everyone.
     
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  17. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    That was the USSR.
     
  18. Le Chef

    Le Chef Banned at members request Donor

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    Yes, true. My point was simply that asylum law is often ignored to make a political point.
     
  19. submarinepainter

    submarinepainter Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I believe there is always a need
     
  20. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    I don't think you need to offer asylum to everyone in Russia on the oft chance that you might snag a scientist or two.
     
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  21. (original)late

    (original)late Banned

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    From 35 to 144 million..

    Great math skillz...
     
  22. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    Awaiting your proof
     
  23. (original)late

    (original)late Banned

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    You said everyone.


    Which is just one example of your ability to turn any molehill into an entire chain of mountains..
     
  24. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    So how many do we need to offer asylum to in order to get your required number of scientists? Give me a hard number.
     
  25. (original)late

    (original)late Banned

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    You can never have enough talent.

    The real point of contention, I suspect, is allowing humanitarian concerns into the process.

    There is an epic irony here, like most countries these days, we need more people..
     

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