# Why are the Feds not paying for the refugees? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 5, 2024, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646 "2024-01-05T14:33:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/201 "2024-01-12T18:58:00Z")
No, no, it’s all Kin…I mean President Biden’s fault. He needs to magic up that money pronto. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/202 "2024-01-12T19:43:56Z")
What Federal land would you have the refugees sent to? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/203 "2024-01-12T20:39:26Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Short term, dumb people outnumber you. If you don’t humor them, Trump. Are you saying that if we don’t give into these stupid ideas, it will somehow make Trump more likely to win in November? But that giving in will somehow make it appear as if Biden made “progress” on immigration, so he’ll win? Seems to me the only people who’d see these measures as progress are already locked in as Trump voters. The solution to stupid is to not enact stupider policies. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/204 "2024-01-12T20:45:42Z")
Apparently the only way to avoid becoming a fascist dictatorship run by cranks is to become a fascist dictatorship run by cranks. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/205 "2024-01-12T20:57:11Z")
“That’s some catch, that Catch-45” he observed. “It’s the best there is,” Doc Daneeka agreed. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/206 "2024-01-12T21:18:43Z")
> **[U.S. Claims Texas Is Blocking Border Patrol From Busy Migrant Crossing Area](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/u-s-claims-texas-is-blocking-border-patrol-from-busy-migrant-crossing-area-45b35e1e)** > > State law-enforcement officials seized control of a city park, in an escalation of a standoff between Texas and the U.S. > [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Trump Those words are not answers. You have not answered my question- what’s wrong with giving the refugees work permits so they can do the dirty jobs Americans don’t want to? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/207 "2024-01-12T23:11:20Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You have not answered my question- what’s wrong with giving the refugees work permits so they can do the dirty jobs Americans don’t want to? I’m uncertain how much posters know about the current system. Asylum seekers gaining entry to the U.S. have to wait 180 days to work. While many, often with U.S. friends or family, find a melt-into-the-shadows way around this, others do not and are sitting in those hotels. While there is theoretical bipartisan support for drastically lowering that 180 number, partisan Republicans do not want it to pass because giving work permits promptly would make it look like Biden solved a problem. See: [Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2023](https://immigrationforum.org/article/asylum-seeker-work-authorization-act-of-2023-bill-summary/) > [@](#): > > Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2023 (S. 255), co-sponsored by Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona) and Angus King (I-Maine), on February 2, 2023. The bill would shorten the current waiting period for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), otherwise known as a work permit, for asylum seekers from 180 days to 30 days provided that the asylum seekers entered the U.S. through an official port of entry (POE). In addition, the bill would codify a two-year renewal schedule for asylum based EADs. > > Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced a similar bill in the House . . . The bill described above would only solve a small piece of the problem but still sounds good to me. That name Sinema may be an instant no-way-baby for progressives, but I can’t believe Biden wouldn’t sign it – or that Mike Johnson would let it go to the House floor. Here is something good – albeit small scale – that the Biden adminisration is managing to do without new legislation: [Migration program to avoid dangerous journey working](https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/new-immigration-policy-avoids-dangerous-journey-working-border-106129672) > [@](#): > > “It was a unique opportunity, a miracle that God prepared for me,” said Llanos, 27, during an interview with The Associated Press from his new home. “I feel blessed, grateful. … I did not want to take the risk. I would not have forgiven myself if something had happened to [my family] because of me,” crossing the jungle. > > The Llanos family is among the first migrants allowed into the U.S. under the Biden administration’s new “safe mobility offices,” set up in Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Ecuador beginning in the fall. . . . > > They must repay their $3,000 plane tickets. But they have three years to do it. Not mentioned, in my link above, is that after waiting for years for an asylum hearing, [more than half are denied.](https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/667/) What’s really needed is more legal, pre-authorized, non-asylum immigration, something along the lines of the Reagan-era route to citizenship (can’t call it amnesty), and some kind of workable employer sanction to discourage new unauthorized immigration AKA [comprehensive immigration reform](https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/the-dignity-act-and-bpcs-immigration-recommendations/). Strong Trump supporters are against this because they are nativists. Partisan Republicans are against it because it would look like something good happened during a Democratic administration. The most progressive Democrats are against it because it would include some physical infrastructure (can’t call it a wall). But if by some semi-miracle Biden wins in November with Democrats holding narrow control of the House and Senate, I expect comprehensive immigration reform to be signed into law. Is this post what everyone already knows, or dreads, or, alternately, never heard of? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/208 "2024-01-12T23:29:53Z")
Great summary. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/209 "2024-01-12T23:51:51Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > While there is theoretical bipartisan support for drastically lowering that 180 number, partisan Republicans do not want it to pass because giving work permits promptly would make it look like Biden solved a problem. Exactly. It can be done, and the only reason its not being done is MAGAnomics. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Not mentioned, in my link above, is that after waiting for years for an asylum hearing, [more than half are denied.](https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/667/) What’s really needed is more legal, pre-authorized, non-asylum immigration, something along the lines of the Reagan-era route to citizenship (can’t call it amnesty), and some kind of workable employer sanction to discourage new unauthorized immigration AKA [comprehensive immigration reform](https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/the-dignity-act-and-bpcs-immigration-recommendations/). Not a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/210 "2024-01-13T17:05:43Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Kankakee, Il., two counties south of Chicago Really big counties. When I lived there, we met people who had never set foot outside of the county, let alone been to Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/211 "2024-01-13T18:10:53Z")
A coworker of mine who lived in Bourbonnais had family from out of state visit. He took them into the city, and it was his first time there. He was in his 30s. He was amazed by the city, btw! ---
**Author:** ![theOldGoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@theOldGoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theOldGoat)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/212 "2024-01-13T20:51:54Z")
The federal gov’s is absolutely flying and busing asylum seekers to varies cities around the country. This is an article from a year and a half ago. Not sure why you’re trying to deny this. [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/24/us/ghost-flights-migrant-children.html#:~:text=Government%20officials%20say%20that%20flights,made%20to%20hide%20their%20arrival](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/24/us/ghost-flights-migrant-children.html#:~:text=Government%20officials%20say%20that%20flights,made%20to%20hide%20their%20arrival). "After being processed at the border, many of these children and teenagers are flown to federally licensed shelters around the country before being released to family members. Thousands of such flights have been a routine part of immigration operations in the United States for decades. While the planes, operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, sometimes land at late hours of the night, they also operate during daylight hours, and they do not constitute covert or clandestine operations." ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/213 "2024-01-13T21:03:22Z")
> [@theOldGoat](#): > > > After being processed at the border, many of these children and teenagers are flown to federally licensed shelters around the country before being released to family members. Any cites that this is what Texas is doing? 🎶 One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn’t belong… 🎶 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/214 "2024-01-13T23:20:30Z")
Since the obvious differences between what the Feds are doing and what certain governors and mayors are doing has already been amply pointed out, I am going to suggest that you read through this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/215 "2024-01-15T01:52:44Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > > [@DrDeth](#): > > > > Right, so what is wrong with getting a bunch of hard working people in who want to do the jobs Americans wont do? > > They’ll poison our blood, duh! \< Nazi/Trump propaganda \> And bring in diseases! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/216 "2024-01-15T01:53:53Z")
> [@theOldGoat](#): > > **before being released to family members.** Thanks for including this major detail. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/217 "2024-01-15T09:24:30Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Asylum seekers gaining entry to the U.S. have to wait 180 days to work. While many, often with U.S. friends or family, find a melt-into-the-shadows way around this, others do not and are sitting in those hotels. > > While there is theoretical bipartisan support for drastically lowering that 180 number, partisan Republicans do not want it to pass because giving work permits promptly would make it look like Biden solved a problem. Another factor for some: according to the one Trumpist I’m still on speaking terms with every single one of those migrants let into the US is going to vote straight Democrat forever and ever. Even though they’re not legally allowed to vote the Democrats will find a way to have them vote. I’ll just point out that he’s still convinced Trump won by a landslide in 2020 so make of that what you will. But there are people who oppose immigration from Latin America because they’re convinced that will help the Democrats. > [@Ruken](#): > > Really big counties. When I lived there, we met people who had never set foot outside of the county, let alone been to Chicago. Interesting how all those people are getting dumped in Chicago and counties south, but not a single bus has show up in my county, the western border of which is the eastern border of city of Chicago. Now… why might that be? Could it all be politics? Chicago and Illinois being perceived as Blue (nevermind that outside of Chicago Illinois skews pretty Republican) and Indiana is perceived as Red (nevermind that my county skews Democrat)? Aside from cruelty being the point, I can’t help but think that these migrant destinations are being chosen by someone thousands of miles away with a caricature understanding of where the migrants will actually wind up. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/218 "2024-01-15T19:04:03Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Another factor for some: according to the one Trumpist I’m still on speaking terms with every single one of those migrants let into the US is going to vote straight Democrat forever and ever. Well, yes. Most minorities wont vote for the party that makes no secret of hating them. (Still, a lot of women vote GOP, which makes no sense to me). So yeah, when they become citizens, most will vote Blue. This is why the Republican party has lost the demographic war. Every year, their % of voters declines. Of course, this is their own fault, when they went to the “Hall Mary” Southern strategy of appealing to bigots and racist. It did work for a while tho. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/219 "2024-01-16T12:03:56Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Well, yes. Most minorities wont vote for the party that makes no secret of hating them. (Still, a lot of women vote GOP, which makes no sense to me). > So yeah, when they become citizens, most will vote Blue. Self-interest is a powerful force. And willful blindness helps too. Just ask the Log Cabin Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/220 "2024-01-17T06:03:22Z")
> **[GOP Rep Says Quiet Part Out Loud About Border Crisis](https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-rep-troy-nehls-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud-about-border-crisis/)** > > “Let me tell you, I'm not willing to do too damn much right now to help a Democrat,” Rep. Troy Nehls said of his support for a new border deal. # GOP Rep Says the Quiet Part Out Loud About Border Crisis ALL FOR SHOW _“Let me tell you, I’m not willing to do too damn much right now to help a Democrat,” Rep. Troy Nehls said of his support for a new border deal._ _Although Congressional Republicans [are currently pushing for](https://www.thedailybeast.com/republicans-try-to-blame-dems-for-gop-inaction-on-ukraine-aid) [immigration](https://www.thedailybeast.com/keyword/immigration) policy changes as a precursor to aid for Ukraine, one GOP representative admitted Wednesday that he’s not keen on supporting any legislation that would benefit President [Joe Biden](https://www.thedailybeast.com/keyword/joe-biden) politically._ _“Let me tell you, I’m not willing to do too damn much right now to help a Democrat and to help Joe Biden’s approval rating,” Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) [told CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/03/politics/senate-immigration-negotiations-congress/index.html). “I will not help the Democrats try to improve this man’s dismal approval ratings. I’m not going to do it. Why would I?”_ Damn. At least he is honest about it. So, why are the Fed not helping the refugees? This guy and 219 others like him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646.md?page=12)