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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) border operation to arrest migrants has actually helped asylum seekers who would typically be turned away from staying in the U.S. Since Operation Lone Star began in March, state authorities have arrested hundreds of undocumented immigrants on state crimes for trespassing. According to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which provides legal aid to some immigrants arrested by the operation, 115 of 120 asylum seekers the organization had information on have been capable of staying and resuming their cases in the U.S. after they were arrested under Operation Lone Star. BuzzFeed News
In other national immigration news…
孰真孰假？对特朗普关于移民的言论的事实核查
ACLU Oregon Files Lawsuit for Alleged Wrongful Detainment of U.S. Citizen
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon announced that it filed a lawsuit against Washington County, the U.S. government and the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility. The lawsuit alleges Abel Tovar Hernandez was told that after he served a sentence for a probation violation, he would be released to a relative. Instead, officials gave him to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, despite Hernandez telling them that he had been a U.S. citizen since 2000. An ACLU press release also said ICE agents “mocked him along the way” while he was transported to the facility, where he stayed for two days. Oregon Public Broadcasting
$20M for Afghan and Haiti Aid in Massachusetts Waiting for Gov.’s Signature
A bill to provide $20 million in aid for Afghan refugees and Haitian migrants is waiting for Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s (R) signature. The bill, which was approved last week, sets $12 million aside for Afghan refugees and $8 million for Haitian migrants. Jeffrey Thielman, president and CEO of the International Institute of New England, said Friday that the bill would make Massachusetts one of the only states to provide state money to support the latest wave of immigrants from Afghanistan and Haiti. A Baker spokesperson said the administration is still reviewing the bill, which he has until Monday to sign into law. The Associated Press
Asylum Seekers Quickly Being Sent Back to Mexico Under Trump-Era Program
On Friday, the Biden administration sent its largest group of migrants back to Mexico under the Remain in Mexico program, also known as the Migrant Protection Protocols. Members of human rights organizations said U.S. Customs and Border Protection handed over 20 adult men to Mexican immigration authorities late Monday morning in the middle of Stanton Street Bridge. CBP also sent over two asylum seekers on Wednesday and six on Thursday. According to Juarez Human Rights Office Director Santiago Rodriguez, a maximum of 35 migrants per day will be returned. Dozens of asylum seekers have been attempting to file for asylum claims at U.S. ports of entry, but say they’re being told the border is closed. Border Report
Over 50 Central American Migrants Killed in Mexico Crash
Roughly 54 individuals, mostly Central American migrants and refugees, died in a truck crash while they were traveling in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. Officials said this crash was one of the worst road accidents in the country in recent years. According to Luis Manuel Garcia, head of Chiapas civil protection protection agency, the truck overturned on a hazardous curve outside the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez. Local officials said over 100 people were inside the truck. The number may have been close to 200 because some passengers, fearing they’d be detained by immigration authorities, reportedly left the scene with visible injuries. Al Jazeera
