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US to turn away asylum seekers, illegal immigrants due to coronavirus: Report

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US to turn away asylum seekers.

Retired Colonel David Hunt discusses a New York Times report that the U.S. will be turning away asylum seekers and illegal immigrants at the southern border in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus in detention centers.

What is Title 42 and how does it allow the US government to turn away asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants?

The United States of America has reportedly decided to turn away asylum seekers and illegal immigrants in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision has come under severe criticism from various human rights organizations and advocacy groups.

According to a report, the US government is planning to deploy a little-known health rule to turn away asylum seekers and illegally crossing immigrants, as a means of containing the spread of COVID-19. A regulation known as “Title 42″ will allow for the immediate expulsion of any individual seeking protection under the asylum system, without any legal recourse or due process. Moreover, this extraordinary measure will also apply to families and children, who are fleeing persecution and violence in their home countries.

This move by the US government is particularly disconcerting, as it violates the fundamental principles of international human rights law. The right to seek asylum is a universally recognized human right, enshrined in numerous international treaties and conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention. The principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to a place where their lives or freedoms may be at risk, is also a fundamental tenet of international humanitarian law.

In addition to violating international human rights norms, the use of Title 42 also poses a serious threat to the public health of individuals involved. The expulsion of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants, without adequate screening or proper medical care, puts them in harm’s way. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that policies that exclude vulnerable populations such as asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants may further exacerbate the health disparities in society.

The US government’s decision has sparked outrage among various advocacy groups worldwide, who have called for a reversal of the policy. In a joint statement, the International Association of Lawyers (UIA) and the International Bar Association (IBA) have condemned the move, stating that it “violates fundamental principles of due process and the right to seek asylum”.

Moreover, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also criticized the US government’s decision, stating that “any measures taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic should not result in closure of avenues to asylum or of forcing people to return to situations of danger.”

In conclusion, the reported decision of the US government to deploy Title 42 to turn away asylum seekers and illegal immigrants is a gross violation of the basic principles of international human rights and humanitarian law. It is incumbent upon the international community to denounce this move and press for its immediate reversal. The COVID-19 pandemic should not be used as a pretext for indifference to human rights and vulnerable populations.