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A6 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 17 auguSt 2019
Court: U.S. can reject asylum along parts of Mexico border

By NOMAAN MERCHANT sign one with Guatemala,
Associated Press but the country's incom-
HOUSTON (AP) — A federal ing president said this week
appeals court on Friday that Guatemala would not
cleared the way for the be able to uphold a tenta-
U.S. government to forbid tive deal reached by his
Central American immi- predecessor.
grants from seeking asylum The U.S. government is al-
at the two busiest stretches ready turning away many
of the southern border in asylum seekers at the
a partial legal victory for southern border.
the Trump administration. About 30,000 people have
The ruling from the 9th U.S. been returned to Mexico
Circuit Court of Appeals to await asylum hearings
allows President Donald under the government's Mi-
Trump to enforce the policy grant Protection Protocols
in New Mexico and Texas, program. Tens of thousands
rejecting asylum seekers of others are waiting in shel-
who cross from Mexico into ters and camps to present
either state. Under Friday's themselves to U.S. border
ruling, U.S. District Judge agents at official ports of
Jon Tigar's July 24 order entry that have strict daily
stopping the policy would limits on asylum seekers.
apply only in California and Mexico's asylum system is
Arizona, which are covered In this Wednesday, April 24, 2019 file photo, a Guatemalan man poses for a photo with his young itself overwhelmed, and
by the 9th Circuit. son at the new Casa del Refugiado in east El Paso, Texas. there are widespread re-
The two busiest areas for Associated Press ports of migrants being at-
unauthorized border cross- tacked and extorted . Bor-
ings are in South Texas' Rio seeking protection there. cross in New Mexico and ception for those who have der cities across from New
Grande Valley and the re- Most crossing the southern Texas could be detained come through a country Mexico and Texas include
gion around El Paso, Texas, border are Central Ameri- and more quickly deport- considered to be "safe" Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and
which includes New Mexi- cans fleeing violence and ed. The U.S. Department pursuant to an agreement Reynosa, all of which are
co. Nearly 50,000 people in poverty, who would largely of Homeland Security did between the U.S. and that well-known for their vio-
July crossed the U.S. border be ineligible. The policy not immediately respond country. lence and gang presence.
without permission in those would also apply to people to a request for comment Canada and the U.S. Tigar had ruled the policy
two regions, according to from Africa, Asia, and South Friday. have a "safe third coun- could expose migrants to
the U.S. Border Patrol. America who come to the Under American law, peo- try" agreement. But the violence and abuse, deny
The policy would deny asy- southern border to request ple can request asylum U.S. doesn't have one with their rights under interna-
lum to anyone who passes asylum. when they arrive in the U.S. Mexico or countries in Cen- tional law, and return them
through another country on If the policy is implement- regardless of how they en- tral America. The Trump to countries they were
the way to the U.S. without ed, ineligible migrants who ter. The law makes an ex- administration has tried to fleeing.q

Colorado OKs electric car requirement to fight air pollution

By DAN ELLIOTT but the Colorado Freedom ozone has plagued Colora-
Associated Press to Drive Coalition called do's urban areas for years.
DENVER (AP) — Colorado them costly and ineffec- Ozone is the main compo-
tightened its air quality reg- tive. nent of smog and can ag-
ulations on Friday, requir- "We believe commissioners gravate asthma and con-
ing that at least 5% of the did a disservice to all Colo- tribute to early deaths from
vehicles sold in the state by radans, but especially Col- respiratory disease. It's cre-
2023 emit zero pollution. oradans of modest means," ated from pollution emitted
The state Air Quality Control coalition spokeswoman by vehicles, the oil and gas
Commission, which passed Sara Almerri said. industry and other sources.
the rule on an 8-1 vote, Regulators said the zero- Ozone alerts have fre-
said the requirement ap- emission standard is aimed quently flashed on signs
plies to auto manufactur- at reducing ozone and over Denver freeways this
ers, not buyers. It's intended greenhouse gases, which summer, asking drivers to
to boost the number of contribute to climate reduce car trips.
electric vehicles in a state In this June 26, 2018 file photo, a Nissan Leaf charges at a re- change. Last week, the U.S. Environ-
charge station while parked by the Denver City County Building
struggling to control ozone in downtown Denver. Democratic Gov. Jared Po- mental Protection Agency
pollution in its most heavily Associated Press lis directed the Air Quality said Denver and the north-
populated area. Control Commission to set ern Colorado urban corri-
The minimum rises to 6.23% Two auto industry groups, John Bozzella, president of a zero-emissions standard dor failed to meet federal
in 2025. Global Automakers and Global Automakers, said shortly after he took office ozone standards and said
Colorado is the 11th state the Alliance of Automobile Colorado had adopted an in January. In a statement the state must come up
to adopt zero-emission Manufacturers, applauded innovative policy by col- Friday, he said the new rule with a new plan to clean
standards, according to the rule. They said they had laborating with manufac- was "only the beginning" of up the air.
Green Car Reports, which been working with Colora- turers. the state's work to reduce The state is also rewriting
tracks developments in do officials on how to struc- Environmental groups also air pollution. air pollution rules for the oil
low-pollution vehicles. ture the requirement. welcomed the standards, Excessive ground-level and gas industry.q