Trump University Law Review

“I have an Article 2, where I have the right to do whatever I want as president.” See Trump Speech at Turning Point USA's Teen Action Summit (July 22, 2019). This quote by Dean Trump displays a fundamental misunderstanding about the scope of plenary authority. This section of TULR seeks to educate Dean Trump about Plenary Power and assist aides in reinforcing these important concepts.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” See Announcement of Presidential Candidacy (June 16, 2015). Dean Trump (1) fundamentally misunderstands immigration law and so, based on that misunderstanding, implements ineffective, dangerous, xenophobic, and likely unconstitutional policies; (2) understands immigration law but seeks to impose even more onerous requirements; or (3) more sinisterly, he understands immigration law, but intentionally misstates the law to leveraging race and nationality and invigorate a base that take his word as law. Whatever the case, we need to clear this up for Dean Trump. This edition seeks to clarify recent immigration law disputes for Dean Trump.

3 foundational texts:

DOJ Zero-Tolerance Memo: this is the directive Jeff Sessions issued on prosecuting crossings—section 1325(a) (https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1049751/download)

DHS/DOJ Policy Options Memo: this is an internal memo between DHS and DOJ detailing options at the border. (https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/72.6_-_3d_am.compl_._exh._5_leaked_memo_01-18-2019.pdf)

OIG Report: this is the Office of Inspector General report on conditions at migrant detention facilities at the border. (https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2019-07/OIG-19-51-Jul19_.pdf)

4 False Claims

1. There is no child separation policy

Admin claim: DHS Secretary Nielsen “We do not have a policy of separating families at the border. Period.” (June 17, 2018). Under Oath, on Dec 20, 2018 before the House Judiciary Committee, Nielsen stated again: “I’m not a liar; we’ve never had a policy for family separation.”

Policy Options Memo: as early as December 2017, the admin was actively developing and implementing a policy of family separation—“2. Separate Family Units. Announce that DHS is considering separating family units, placing the adults in adult detention and placing the minors under the age of 18 in the custody of HHS as unaccompanied alien children…Once legal coordination between DHS, HHS, and DOJ is complete, begin separating family units”

2. There is a Family Separation policy, but Obama started it

Admin claim: DHS Secretary Nielsen “For those seeking asylum at ports of entry, we have continued the policy from previous administrations and will only separate if the child is in danger, there is no custodial relationship between ‘family’ members, or if the adult has broken a law.” (June 17, 2018)

Policy Options Memo: the admin knew it was implementing new policy that would likely face legal challenges, not merely continuing existing policy from previous admin—E.g. “Advocacy groups are aware that this policy shift may occur and therefore are seeking to identify families who have been separated in order to bring a class action lawsuit” (p. 1)

3. Family separation was not implemented as a deterrent

Admin claim: DHS Secretary Nielsen was asked if the family separation policy was being used as a deterrent, and she replied: “I find that offensive.” (June 18, 2018)

Policy Options Memo: memo repeatedly emphasizes that the goal of family separation was deterrence—e.g. “the increase in prosecutions would be reported by the media and it would have substantial deterrent effect” (p.1)

4. Unmanageable influxes of violent criminals are forcing the administration to expand detention facilities

Admin claim: Dean Trump “My administration has presented Congress with a detailed proposal to secure the border and stop the criminal gangs, drug smugglers, and human traffickers…We have requested more agents, immigration judges, and bed space” (January 8, 2019)

Policy Options Memo: memo focuses on prosecuting and deterring asylum seekers, not gangs or violent individuals. To criminalize asylum, the memo recommends accusing parents of smuggling their own children across the border—“Any and all efforts should be made to criminally prosecute those who smuggle their kids into the United States” (p. 1)

The administration knew its family separation policy would result in increased need for detention space. Under the policy recommendation to prosecute parents, the memo says “This will require close coordination with DOJ, to ensure there are sufficient prosecutors at the border and sufficient U.S. Marshal’s detention space.” (p.1)

The memo goes on to describe how to deter family and other caretakers from coming forward to sponsor children while their asylum cases proceed, keeping children in detention longer—e.g. “I would suggest referring sponsors for criminal prosecution… if information indicates that the sponsor facilitated the travel of the minor into the United States.” Another official says “This would result in a deterrent impact on “sponsors.” (p.2)

“The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” See @realDonaldTrump Tweet (Nov. 6, 2012). So much to unpack here.

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