Face deportation on the basis of evidence kept secret from them. Are unable to appeal arbitrary, capricious and illegal actions against them by immigration officials because the courts have been stripped of jurisdiction to hear their claims. Although some progress has been made to begin correcting some of these laws, much remains to be done before today s immigrants receive the fair treatment under our laws that everyone in America should be able to take for granted. Political Asylum Prior to 1996, the United States was seen as a nation of freedom, a safe haven for those fleeing persecution on account of their political beliefs, race, religion, national origin or membership in a particular social group. But because of the 1996 immigration laws, the doors to safety are being slammed in the faces of many refugees seeking asylum and in the face of people entitled to admission.
Many refugees flee to the United States as a final attempt to save themselves and their families.
They often flee in haste without any documents or with improper documents. After an often traumatic journey they are greeted by the cold shoulders of low-level border officials who they must convince of their claims for asylum in order to even have their case considered. If they are unsuccessful, they risk return to their countries and to possible persecution or torture or even death. Normally, if a person commits a crime in the United States, they pay their debt to society and they go on with their lives. The 1996 laws changed this normal state of affairs for many immigrants.