Trump accused of being tougher on Bahamian refugees than others
(The Slice): Over a thousand people are missing after Hurricane Dorian left 70% of the island in ruins and Pres. Donald Trump is saying that Bahamians seeking temporary refuge in the U.S. must be carefully vetted before entering the country.
"We have to be very careful. Everybody needs totally proper documentation because the Bahamas had some tremendous problems with people going to the Bahamas that weren't supposed to be there," Trump said on the White House South Lawn before departing for a campaign rally in North Carolina.
The president has not been known to make such upfront distinctions about citizens of other countries who have been forced to flee imminent or direct danger. This has caused some to accuse him of unfair treatment against the Bahamian residents, especially since on the day before 100 people were removed from a ferry boat headed to Florida. According to Customs and Border Protection officials they were taken to Nassau for Visas to ensure
In July the U.S. House of Representatives signed the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 allowing Venezuelans in the country.
“Venezuelans have become the largest group of asylum seekers applying for refuge in the United States, with hundreds of thousands in Florida alone fearing persecution or death if they returned to their home country. With TPS extended to Venezuelans already in the U.S., we will be able to provide them refuge and save their lives. We now urge Leader Mitch McConnell to do the right thing, and support Senators Marco Rubio and Bob Menendez’s Venezuela TPS efforts, and bring our bill to the Senate Floor for a vote. We are encouraged by the vocal support from the Trump administration towards Venezuelans and expect TPS to be signed into law once it reaches the President’s desk. I’m proud to have worked together with my Florida, and House, colleagues to advance the first bipartisan immigration bill to pass the House this Congress!”
CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan, said although he had yet to speak to Pres. Trump about it, he could foresee TPS being extended to the people of the Bahamas based off past historic actions of the U.S.. However, hours later the president had a contradictory view.
CBP said anyone arriving from another country must meet with border patrol and supply proper documentation at a port of entry.
Mr. Trump said the U.S. is helping relocate residents to the" large sections" of the island that were unaffected.
Hurricane Dorian was the most massive storm in the history of the Bahamas, leaving over 40 people dead.
(Photo by Mona Austin)
