O'Rourke to visit Mexico, meet turned away US asylum-seekers

[Indygram]

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke is heading to Mexico on Sunday to meet with immigrants seeking U.S. asylum but “turned away” at the border.

In the former congressman’s first international trip as a White House hopeful, his campaign says O’Rourke will visit Ciudad Juarez, across the Rio Grande from his native El Paso, Texas, to meet with what it calls “individuals and families directly impacted by Donald Trump’s cruel and inhumane policies.”

O’Rourke hopes to “shed light on the desperate circumstances those who are seeking asylum and refuge are fleeing, and the conditions these families and individuals are forced to endure when they’ve been turned away from our borders.” That includes meeting with people and organizations providing immigrants care and assistance in Mexico.
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“In all of the debate around immigration, we can’t forget who it impacts most: the people traveling thousands of miles, fleeing the worst kind of violence and oppression,” O’Rourke said in a statement Saturday. “Turning away refugees, families and asylum seekers is not who we are as a country. But as long as Donald Trump is president — it will be.”

O’Rourke is also planning a rally Sunday outside the U.S. Border Patrol facility in nearby Clint, Texas, where immigrant children have reported being denied access to such basic amenities as showers, soap and toothbrushes. He previously visited centers holding immigrant children in Houston, and was one of many Democratic presidential candidates who traveled to one in Homestead, Florida, near the site of last week’s primary debates in Miami.

https://www.apnews.com/f0e50bbcfe7f4c65b5a711d42ccefc0a

[customerserviceguy]

1. Will there be

any condemnation of the corrupt politicians and the druglords who own them as a big part of the reason for the migrations? Or will there simply be a call to spend even more millions of dollars to line the pockets of said politicians and drug criminals?

[RHMerriman]

2. Are you referring to corrupt "American" politicians and the druglords who own them?

Or somewhere else?

Please be specific...

[customerserviceguy]

3. I hoped that it was obvious

that I meant Central American politicians, and even police. Thanks for the opportunity for me to clarify.

[RHMerriman]

4. Is Rep. O'Rourke going to find them in Mexico, do you think?

Is Rep. O'Rourke going to find them in Mexico, do you think?

Perhaps you should clarify exactly what you think about Central Americans...

[customerserviceguy]

5. I strongly suspect

that most US aid money to Latin America winds up in the hands of corrupt politicians, police, and drug lords. It is their failure to provide a decent place to live for Latin American people that is driving them to these suicide migrations.

[RHMerriman]

6. So ... should the US incarcerate asylum seekers behind chain link fences, and

So ... should the US incarcerate asylum seekers behind chain link fences, and separate children from their parents?

Just trying to get your position here, since you're critical of O'Rourke going to see something for himself.

[customerserviceguy]

7. I think there's enough blame to go around

for Trump and his administration, and for the forces that compel people to undertake a risky migration.

I also think that this is a desperation move for O'Rourke after his lackluster debate performance last Wednesday. He's flailing, and I'm not just talking about his arms when he talks.

The American people want to see an end to what is going on at the border, but they're going to vote based on what the choice means to them and their families.

[RHMerriman]

8. Do you believe that blame includes US policy toward Central America in the

Do you believe that blame includes US policy toward Central America from the 1980s onward?

Just curious if you're into blaming the victim...

[customerserviceguy]

9. In some part, yes, of course

But, the victims are not the corrupt politicians and drug lords, they are the people who cannot live a peaceful, prosperous life in their native lands.

[RHMerriman]

11. See, that's a nice way to avoid taking responsibility for the reality that US foreign policy, since

See, that's a nice way to avoid taking responsibility for the reality that US foreign policy, since Reagan, has spent billions screwing over the people of Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua ...

Costa Rica lucked out.

You don't want war refugees fleeing from war?

Don't contribute to the war.

Who do you think funded the militaries in Guatemala, Salvador, and Honduras, and the Contras in Nicaragua? Drug dealers?

[Indygram]

14. If you read Beto's immigration plan you would not need to ask this question

https://betoorourke.com/immigration/#p-3 (read section 3, which addresses that concern)

[TexasTowelie]

10. While I don't want to dismiss the need to learn from immigrants and leaders across the border,

I don't believe this meeting will do anything to advance his campaign. Beto's focus should be on Americans such as veterans where he has a strong record on veterans affairs and armed services. He could also meet with economic advisers to develop his campaign policies on the economy and how to create jobs aside from those mentioned in his plan for climate change. Beto is a successful entrepreneur in the IT sector and it would help his campaign if he expanded his credentials in this area and offer proposals to distinguish himself from the other candidates.

[Skittles]

12. agreed

[TexasTowelie]

13. You know that I call it as I see it

While immigration will be the cudgel that Trump will use to instill fear in his voter base, it is not the issue that most Americans contemplate on a daily basis. I would like to see some proposals from Beto (and other candidates) towards developing opportunities for the group between 45 an 65 years of age who are too young to retire, but still have much to offer with their experience and skills.

One thing that needs to be recognized is that the workers in the 45-65 age bracket may not be physically able to perform manual labor. It is unreasonable to believe that those who worked sedentary office environments are going to be capable of digging ditches, lifting heavy weights, stand all day, or work in temperature extremes. There is a lot of wasted talent to dispose of a generation of workers that have been productive and contributed to society. This age bracket also experienced some of the most adverse economic conditions so that it was nearly impossible for them to save--they most likely entered a workforce that was in poor shape, looked after their parents or other relatives, and paid for their children's education at a time when college tuition increases were significant.

Furthermore, for those that are unable to work modifications must be made to lower the threshold to obtain disability and to expedite the processes in the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration. More judges along with the supporting staff members need to hired to reduce the backlog of cases so that the average wait of time of two years to get a hearing is reduced by at least 50%.

These are a few ideas that I have not heard any candidates speak about this primary season. Nor have we heard from any of the candidates about addressing the solvency issues in Social Security or Medicare programs.

These are issues that matter to me and to those I associate with in the public.

[Raine]

17. Yes EXACTLY! nt

[JI7]

15. i don't mind the trip itself but the part you mention about the IT sector is something i have said

he needs to focus on .

he understands the changing technology in the world today and how it affects things like jobs and education . he needs to come up with a way to talk about it .

[Indygram]

16. I'm glad he is going to spend some time there

I'm so angry about how asylum seeking children are being treated. It's abuse and I want to see these MFers prosecuted for crimes against humanity. They are showing disgusting levels of depraved indifference. What they are doing MUST be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.