Let It Work

What to Know: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has lifted an injunction that had blocked part of President Trump’s asylum policies.

The TPPF Take: The administration’s asylum policies will help address the crisis at the border.

“Our asylum system is designed to help those who are truly fleeing danger—those with a ‘credible fear’ of persecution by their government,” says TPPF’s John Hostettler. “It’s not designed for those simply seeking a better job or even a better life. The bar for asylum seekers is high; the line for migrants looking for a better life is long. Confusing the two only muddles the debate.”

There are Still Positive Stories

The TPPF Take: With the current crisis, we can sometimes forget that there are many, many positive immigration stories.

“My parents made the decision to emigrate legally from Venezuela,” says TPPF’s Joanna Rodriguez. “They achieved their American Dream for themselves and their children, but that didn’t come without hardships and disappointments along the way. Yet my father always picked himself up, and dreamed even bigger. Isn’t that what America is? And now it’s my turn to work toward my own American Dream.”

Innovation in the Marketplace

What to Know: Some Americans are using Groupon and other coupons to obtain medical tests at lower prices.

The TPPF Take: This innovation could improve price transparency in an industry in which it’s very limited.

“Research has shown that lower cost providers often have higher quality metrics,” notes TPPF’s David Balat. “Hospitals are often reimbursed at rates three to four times higher than facilities not associated with a hospital, and hospitals will, of course, want to repeat testing that has already been previously done. This is a win for consumers.”