3793

The way to fix it would include rich white people going to jail, instead of just poor brown people, so I doubt it’ll get fixed anytime soon.

3794

So, since that is likely correct, Harris’ message of “Don’t come into this mess” is a valid message, in my view. Comprehensive reform is far better, but at least slowing the impact of the mess is worthwhile.

3795

The VP of the United States can’t really stand up in a foreign country and encourage people to attempt an illegal entry into the country. The VP shouldn’t even tell people to seek asylum here. The VP should encourage people to work within their own countries (with the help of the US) to make things better there.

Especially what with a pandemic and all. Let’s get our US citizens back to work before we invite others in. This isn’t anti-immigrant, it’s being realistic. Let us make the world a better place so others don’t have to come here.

3796

But over a dozen people on Twitter are up in arms.

3797

Oh good, now we’re protecting “acting secretary” Chad Wolf and his ‘policies’.

Notes:

  • Labelling this as the ‘Biden’s DoJ’ may be seen as somewhat disingenuous, this is Garland’s DoJ.

  • The writer is the Litigation and Advocacy Director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP).
3798

My opinion of Merrick Garland has really taken a nosedive this year.

3799

His job is to defend legal actions taken by the government, regardless of whether or not you like those actions.

If he believes that there is a legal argument to be had, then he is obligated to make it.

3800

Seems to me there’s a lot of discretion in the DoJ in terms of what to fight and what to let go (ex: the Cole Memorandum). He’s choosing to battle for a lot of bad Trump shit.

3801

There’s a difference between saying, “We have limited resources, so we cannot enforce federal drug laws across the entire country in places where local laws make weed legal” and saying, “I don’t want this case to win, even though I think that’s what the law says should happen.”

The DOJ is not supposed to be a political organization.

3802

I’m reasonably confident that it is not unheard of for a new DOJ administration to decline to take a legal stand undertaken by the prior one, for reasons related to a different understanding of the issue and the law. It’s not the case that this DOJ is required to adopt every legal stance taken by the prior one. Doing so is a choice.

3803

If courts have already found judgement that these policies were not applied legally, the DoJ can also conclude that they will no longer seek to enforce/appeal them. That seems reasonable.

Like they did here:

3804

From looking at the filings, it appears that the current DOJ is offering different legal arguments.

If Garland believes these legal arguments are valid, then he’s obligated to pursue them.

3805

I assume there is also a question of precedent and executive power. Even if the specific application was disliked, the executive wants to retain what power it has.

3806

And therein lies the problem.

Each successive administration not only preserves the existing power of the executive but expand it until we get someone like trump who treated the office like his own personal fiefdom.

And like all Republicans before him, trump will suffer no consequences for any corrupt or potentially criminal action.

And then the next trump will have even more power.

3807

Yeah, Garland is shit. We should have gotten Sally Yates. We already know she wouldn’t defend shit like this.

3808

I think this misunderstands the executive…

3809

Yea, Garland should be on the SCOTUS.

3810
3811

:scratchchin:

So have there been any actual policy changes that differ from Trump?

3812

Biden’s… trying?

Overall I am super disappointed with our country’s immigration policy per the usual.