Here's How Hard It Is for Unaccompanied Minors to Get Asylum

National Journal ^ | July 15,2014 | Rachel Roubein

[Hojczyk]

The English-only application spans at least nine pages, the first hurdle for an unaccompanied child seeking asylum in the United States.

Then there's an interview. A child is asked to recount to an asylum officer details of past traumas—such as gang recruitment and kidnappings, prostitution, and abuse. If asylum is denied, the young migrant goes before an immigration judge as a federal attorney typically argues for deportation.

This process is one that the majority of the tens of thousands of unaccompanied children crossing the border this year are expected to maneuver solo. Navigating the world of immigration law is complex even for a law student, who would typically take a semester's time to become conversant in its nuances. For a child, it's nearly impossible, according to immigration attorney Kristen Jackson. If the claim is approved, the child goes before an immigration judge to request termination of the removal proceedings based on the child's new asylee status.

If that is denied, an immigration judge hears the case in a courtroom-like setting. There's the child and his or her counsel—if the minor even has representation—on one side. On the other, the government is represented by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney likely arguing that the child should be deported, according to Jackson.

With legal representation, it's possible for a child to be granted asylum, which provides a pathway to citizenship, Young said. But without counsel, it's "virtually impossible."

"Bottom line: The laws are complicated, and then you put a child through that with their lack of capacity to understand," she said. "The results are not going to be positive, because it's just too hard for children to do it. But that's what we have—unfortunately—and it's getting worse."

[jospehm20]

“But without counsel, it’s “virtually impossible.”

Should be “virtually impossible” for any border jumper to stay even with counsel.

[Travis McGee]

Say hello to the new gang down the street.

[Gaffer]

Boo frigging Hoo, Rachel. Oh, the law is just so complicated! It’s too hard for the little chilruns.

If it’s just too hard for them, then stop them at the border and turn them around. Let’s see if Mexico assists them back through their southern border going home like they did in letting them get here.

Weapons grade stupid liberals. Laws are ‘hard’...

[Teacher317]

Once again, our Administration is creating a complex, painful, and horrible situation, all so that we will beg them to fix it by dismantling the entire system that they are intent on destroying and replacing with their own Socialist Utopian Fantasies (which just happen to keep them permanently in power).

[Teacher317]

These do not look like “children” to me

[DBrow]

“The English-only application spans at least nine pages, the first hurdle for an unaccompanied child seeking asylum in the United States. “

Part of 0bama’s 3 billion is for lawyers to fill out the forms. The people filling out the forms now are willing to put down 17 as the age even when the “applicant” has grey hair.

It SHOULD be hard to come in, otherwise all of Chad, Belize, Ivory Coast, and Baja would be here, or maybe teh 20,000,000 slaves in Islamic countries would walk in.

[Flintlock]

Ya think they’ll have a ‘hard time’ going thru the ‘process’ when it’s run by this bunch?

Ya think?

Me neither.

[Fightin Whitey]

Oh those poor dears. Do you have an address to which we might send toys, stuffed bunnies and p.j.'s with the widdo feet on dem?

[MrB]

They look like what they are - an invading army.

[JimRed]

Train them, arm them and send them to take their countries back.

[logi_cal869]

Next up:

Talking Cacti in the desert/border region instructing ‘refugees’ how to turn themselves in to CBP, how to apply for asylum, fill out paperwork and get government benefits.

/s