The humanitarian crisis in Del Rio, Texas, last month along with the continuing flow of migrants from Central America are in part, a result of our broken immigration system. Currently, those seeking refuge from the economic instability and security threats in their own countries often find themselves with a binary choice: stay home or migrate to the U.S. in hopes of attaining asylum.

However, our asylum laws are very complex. To apply, the individual must be on U.S. soil, which is why we see groups of individuals turning themselves over to border patrol at ports of entry.

Only those with reasonable fear of persecution in their home countries due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion are granted it. (Watch this video from our friends at Women of Welcome for a quick explainer!)

But, often, asylum seekers like those from Central America and Haiti are fleeing poverty, corruption, violence, and climate displacement in their home countries, reasons that are almost impossible qualifiers for asylum. This leaves many at risk and putting their lives in the hands of cartels and human smugglers.

If they can’t come via asylum, it leaves them with little choice. Read on for more.

With your support, we can continue to advocate for real solutions and a new way forward, not just on asylum, but for our entire immigration system. Make a gift today!

• For a more in-depth look at the U.S. asylum process, check out this fact sheet drafted by our policy team.
• Read Room to Grow, a paper that seeks to explain why immigrants are essential to the demographic decline and labor shortage taking place in the U.S. Then, watch the full recording of our Room to Grow discussion here.