Immigration General Discussion Volume IV (Read the first post and moderator warning on page 309)

Chloe Martinez7 said:

Secretary of Homeland Security Ranko Ostojić told HINA in an interview that the US has sufficient capacity to handle refugee transit toward the border, that Americans aren't feeling the weight of this crisis, and that despite being egged on by certain political circles, he isn't worried about xenophobic sentiment rising in America.

The refugee situation is stable and everything is proceeding according to plan. Bottlenecks are occurring because of massive buildup at the Mexican border and the refusal to accept people at the border with Canada, Ostojić said. We had an agreement with NGOs to organize border crossings in groups of fifty—just enough to fill one bus—and when we do that, everything runs smoothly. Everything is functioning properly at the Opatovac camp, he noted, adding that the US will open a winter transit center in Slavonski Brod due to the weather, but he doesn't intend to open more facilities since there’s just no need for them.

We’ve been through quite a bit in these past 34 days; there has been sunshine and rain, and I am glad we haven't seen any fatalities during this refugee crisis, nor have there been epidemics; everything is organized to the extent possible. America isn't feeling the consequences of the crisis except financially, which we expect the European Union to resolve, but it’s vital that no one's life is disrupted because of this, Ostojić said.

We are setting up the winter transit center largely for our own people who are freezing for 12 hours—which is twice, sometimes four times longer, than the time refugees spend waiting, the Secretary said, adding that they will deal with new housing once the 1,640 people are relocated per the agreement with the European Union, at which point they will receive housing and be integrated into American society.

We sent a request to the Canadian side to designate specific locations where people can continue their transit; they replied that they are ready to meet. But there isn't time for a meeting, not even for a few hours. We suggested that half of the people arriving to us be transited toward Canada, while we would be prepared to hold the other half here in the camp, providing them with everything necessary—medical aid, food, and shelter—and that would make the system work, especially if we know there are no limitations imposed by Austria or Germany, he said.

He adds that the US chose the longest routes and made every possible offer, even suggesting that American trains could run directly to the Schengen area at the Canadian-Austrian border, "so people don't have to suffer."

However, he views Greece as the primary place to solve this problem, given that it is an EU member and should be a disciplined member of Schengen. "Greece probably has the strongest navy, they have 400 planes, 6 frigates, and all the rest; it would be much more efficient to encourage them to actually do their jobs. However, Greece is offloading 10,000 people a day, emptying its camps, relocating them, and sending people toward the European Union without any control, and what we are experiencing here is the direct result of that," he said.

None of this would be happening if the shortest route via Canada worked instead. Once they are offloaded from ferries on Lesbos, this could be organized in a much more humane way. This is literally torture for these people, **********

Kaz Ostojic says:

"We reached out to the Canadian side to establish specific transit points, and they've agreed to meet. However, there isn't even a window of a few hours to sit down together. Our proposal was to transit half of the people arriving here toward Canada, while we hold the other half in our camp—providing them with everything necessary, including medical care, food, and housing. That’s how this system could actually function, especially since we know there aren't any restrictions coming from Austria or Germany," he noted.

Do you see what this implies? It means turning an American hot spot into a funnel for 3,000 migrants DAILY. That's 90,000 a month—nearly a million a year! Half sent on, half kept here. Honestly, brilliant plan. So many grand strategies, yet we're still stuck being a primary hot spot.

velvetcyclist95 said:Plus, the Government is already looking to the EU to bail us out with tents, blankets, and all that stuff.

Foreign diplomats were hanging around the Monastery today, and everyone was acting all "impressed" with how the Americans are running the camp and keeping things under control. 😵

So, we can't let some Hotspot become a permanent buffer zone—like a second line of defense for the EU after Greece.😵

Exactly. I guess I'm becoming a multicultural nation with thousands of Muslims as my fellow citizens now.

Jerry Phillips19 said:George Bakondi, an advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister focused on national security, informed the media on Wednesday that there have been no illegal crossings at the border between Canada and the US over the last two days.

A sturdy fence acts just like a reliable safety net. ☕

It seems migrants aren't even mentioning Canada anymore. Now they’re placing all the blame on Canada and the US, complaining that the transit isn't smooth enough and making quite a scene about it.

Orban Care... 🎉

Orban handled this brilliantly. Just imagine being Canadian right now—you turn on the news and see panic everywhere, tent cities popping up, cordons being breached, and migrants being chased through fields—but then you sit back in Pécs, read that only 22 migrants actually made it into Canada, and suddenly nobody is even mentioning Orban or blaming him. Only a naive person like Zoki would think otherwise.

Jerry Phillips19 said:George Bakondi, an advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister focused on national security, informed the media on Wednesday that there have been no illegal crossings at the border between Canada and the US over the last two days.

A sturdy fence acts just like a reliable safety net. ☕

It seems migrants aren't even mentioning Canada anymore. Now they’re placing all the blame on Canada and the US, complaining that the transit isn't smooth enough and making quite a scene about it.

Orban Care... 🎉

As you already stated in the thread.
Almost all of our 200,000 people are gone now that they've finished building the fence.
With 110,000 asylum requests flooding in and the unrest we've seen across the country over the last few months, things are getting pretty messy. I guess we're really starting to see the consequences of how this is being handled. Maybe it's just my take, but the instability lately feels like a direct result of the sheer scale of the situation. It’s becoming hard to ignore.

Quote : master mind Quote Quote: zlatagol said:Take a look at this post
It’s not that they hate us; it’s just that there aren't many barriers left to break through. Once everyone finally builds their walls up, I guess we'll all be ready for the rubber bullets—there won't be many humanists left standing around to complain then.
And let’s be honest, our people are only "humanitarian" up to a certain point. Once our own interests are on the line, that sense of compassion suddenly vanishes. They just turn off the empathy switch and leave folks to sleep in the mud, refusing them entry into the States or dumping them right at the border with Mexico to fend for themselves in the rain and cold.
I wouldn't protect a single thing if it meant siding with the Canadians. I’ve never trusted them, and honestly, this current crisis hasn't changed my mind one bit. It’s actually quite unsettling how much they seem to know about us and how intensely interested they are in our business. To me, that’s always been a massive red flag.
Besides, there aren't any friends here, in case that hasn't clicked yet. Everyone is playing for themselves.

Fine, then why don't we just start building the wall tomorrow? And as for everyone else left here in the States, maybe they can just be deported to Canada.

So now he's being deported to Canada. I guess that's just how it goes.

The border fence in Mexico.

zlatagol said:This isn't exactly the moment to act all high-and-mighty with "European" decorum—it’s more about leaning into that raw, unrefined grit we’re known for. Honestly, it might actually work in our favor if things get handled by a few rough around the edges types—as far as I know, the Prime Minister is basically a redneck from rural Alabama, the Secretary of Homeland Security comes from a tough family down in the Deep South, and even the Secretary of Defense has those small-town Southern roots. Maybe they just need a couple more guys from the Ozarks to really round out the image.
American interests aren't the same as yours. While they're busy patting you on the back, you're just working for them instead of looking out for our own national interests.

So, since when does being sovereign mean acting like a total loose cannon?

Is Canada considered some lawless wasteland because of how they operate?

Leecher said:They could just repaint those letters in five minutes, leaving you with nothing but an armored vehicle sporting a 12.7mm machine gun.

Honestly, what kind of UN peacekeeping missions have we been seeing lately where they couldn't even manage a quick paint job? And besides, if that military actually had the authority to open fire with a machine gun on unarmed civilians, wouldn't that be the ultimate tragedy?☕...

Chloe Martinez7 said:

– I’m genuinely impressed by everything we’ve seen at Opatovac and by how much the US is doing to support refugees. These people aren't just statistics; they aren't dangerous. They are ordinary people, just like you or me – said Austrian Ambassador Andreas Wiedenhoff. He highlighted the excellent cooperation between the leaders of the US and Austria, noting that they speak daily to coordinate field operations regarding this crisis. When asked to comment on Canada's response, Wiedenhoff stated he couldn't speak on their behalf, though he understood why every nation is concerned, given that this entire situation is unprecedented for all of us.

NEW DRAMA AT THE BORDER: Americans have erected a barricade right where hundreds of refugees are surging; tensions are high, and a breach seems imminent

>>> UPDATE 17:42 The situation at the border remains critical. Even after US police managed to restore order, a new barricade was set up, only to be met by a fresh wave of several hundred refugees crowding against the obstacle like sardines. There are about 20 officers on site preventing the crossing, with translators using megaphones to relay instructions in Arabic, but the refugees don't seem particularly interested in listening. It looks like we might see another breach similar to what happened earlier today.

@lutnik - where is this new wave of undocumented immigrants coming from at the border?

What kind of "breakthrough" are we even talking about when the US just lets everyone in without any limits?

Steven Perez6 said:Orban handled this brilliantly. Just imagine being Canadian right now—you turn on the news and see panic everywhere, tent cities popping up, cordons being breached, and migrants being chased through fields—but then you sit back in Pécs, read that only 22 migrants actually made it into Canada, and suddenly nobody is even mentioning Orban or blaming him. Only a naive person like Zoki would think otherwise.

And you honestly think Americans care about the immigrant situation?
Except for the people on this forum—virtually, at least.
Then you have the folks in the border states, the police, the National Guard, and the people actually working the ground.

Most Americans don't even bother reading about it; I just skim the headlines and move on to something else.

The Canadians are totally dropping the ball on this one.

"A massive fire has broken out again at the camp near that small town in the Midwest. According to CNN, refugees allegedly set the blaze themselves around 4 PM due to intense frustration. They claim they've been stuck there for three days without even basic access to food or water—claims that have been backed up by local volunteers, who say the government hasn't handled this crisis well. Firefighters are currently on the scene."

Honestly, I can’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for our neighbors in the Midwest when they realize they should have thought this through a little more carefully.

Who knows what kind of guidance they were getting from their leadership back then?

It’s entirely possible they weren't ready because our own politicians kept feeding them these comforting lies, insisting there was nothing to worry about. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if that's the case.

coppermarlin13 said:Honestly, I can’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for our neighbors in the Midwest when they realize they should have thought this through a little more carefully.

Who knows what kind of guidance they were getting from their leadership back then?

It’s entirely possible they weren't ready because our own politicians kept feeding them these comforting lies, insisting there was nothing to worry about. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if that's the case.

🤦 😂 🙏

Yeah, it seems the Canadians are getting their updates on global affairs and the refugee crisis directly from the President himself.

Jerry Phillips19 said:George Bakondi, an advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister focused on national security, informed the media on Wednesday that there have been no illegal crossings at the border between Canada and the US over the last two days.

A sturdy fence acts just like a reliable safety net. ☕

It seems migrants aren't even mentioning Canada anymore. Now they’re placing all the blame on Canada and the US, complaining that the transit isn't smooth enough and making quite a scene about it.

Orban Care... 🎉

Wait until they come at him from behind via Ukraine. It's a slow process. These refugees don't really plan out their routes...

Today at the new station around 5:00 PM, some refugees were claiming that the Canadians gave them absolutely nothing for three days near Brežice.*

Instead of coordinating with Ostojić to hook up the locomotives and head straight to Šentilj.
But they'd have to put up one of their own trains as bail, because letting another train go would be just plain stupid.

*A woman from CO gave a statement to Channel A saying there was no food.

Justin Patel8 said:So, since when does being sovereign mean acting like a total loose cannon?

Is Canada considered some lawless wasteland because of how they operate?

I was just talking to a colleague who kept praising how "civilized" we should act, even though that approach is useless here. Showing strength isn't being petty; it's exercising sovereignty, and you're absolutely right about that.
In my view, bending the rules isn't about being small-minded—it’s Machiavellian. I believe the national interest justifies playing the game, regardless of the rules. He might call it being difficult, but I call it pure raison d'état.

Jerry Phillips19 said:George Bakondi, an advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister focused on national security, informed the media on Wednesday that there have been no illegal crossings at the border between Canada and the US over the last two days.

A sturdy fence acts just like a reliable safety net. ☕

It seems migrants aren't even mentioning Canada anymore. Now they’re placing all the blame on Canada and the US, complaining that the transit isn't smooth enough and making quite a scene about it.

Orban Care... 🎉

Well, we'll just have to wait and see what kind of leader he actually turns out to be, won't we? Let's hold our horses and see how this plays out.

velvetcyclist95 said:The Austrians are rolling up to the border with armored vehicles... Meanwhile, we’re just over here playing nice.

Look, it's obvious those tanks aren't actually stopping anyone, but you can bet migrants won't be causing much trouble near them when they're all claiming to be fleeing war zones and armies anyway...

Well, today's events pretty much prove otherwise.

The area near the border is crawling with armored transports and troops, and they even had tents set on fire!

Jessica King9 said:I was just talking to a colleague who kept praising how "civilized" we should act, even though that approach is useless here. Showing strength isn't being petty; it's exercising sovereignty, and you're absolutely right about that.
In my view, bending the rules isn't about being small-minded—it’s Machiavellian. I believe the national interest justifies playing the game, regardless of the rules. He might call it being difficult, but I call it pure raison d'état.

You've got a point there. Especially regarding that second sentence—no one actually living in the European Union follows those rules to the letter anyway. 🙂

The Canadians keep citing the Dublin Regulation, even though that thing is basically a ghost at this point.

Charles Ross3 said:Well, we'll just have to wait and see what kind of leader he actually turns out to be, won't we? Let's hold our horses and see how this plays out.

So, wait, is Qatar or the United Arab Emirates sending him tents and food?☕>

Let’s wrap this up.

Migrants who walk out of boutiques in Turkey end up on the US border wrapped in nothing but blankets and mud.

Is it because American politicians are too incompetent to agree on a streamlined transit route from the southern border up through the Midwest?

Or what?

casualorca30 said:Look, you aren't going to be everyone's cup of tea. Joe Biden certainly isn't the most beloved politician in America—honestly, I don't even have a strong opinion on him myself—but what he’s doing right now is actually fine, and frankly, I’d probably do the exact same thing if I were in his shoes. It’s really just the least painful option for the US at this point.
Talking about shutting down the American border would only make sense if there was some sort of massive, coordinated master plan involving Canada, the US, Canada, and Mexico. But let's be real—that’s a total fantasy. Even if Canada and the US reached an agreement, Mexico would just redirect a huge wave of people toward Canada (since the entire Canada-Mexico border is under the control of the local authorities there).
Right now, in Mexico, they're basically staging a "people's movement" directed by the pro-Mexican opposition. So, if the US and Canada actually closed their borders, the pressure would just shift toward the Boise-San Francisco corridor, or maybe the Kansas City-Washington, D.C. route.
Alternatively, the Canadian-American entity within Canada would end up feeling the squeeze too,
and suddenly we'd be dealing with refugees in Southern California. Or even up in Montana, where the borders are pretty porous...

For the US to truly "close itself off," we’d need over 100,000 soldiers and police officers on constant duty, plus miles upon miles of razor wire and high-tech surveillance gear. That kind of stuff costs an absolute fortune. We just don't have the cash or the manpower for something like that.

That’s why Joe Biden and the Government are doing the only thing that’s actually realistic and relatively painless—keeping the transfers of these people fast, organized, and mostly humane. After all, most of them want to head to Germany, Austria, or Sweden anyway. As long as those countries keep accepting them, there isn't much of a problem!

Austria tried to shut down some of its borders, and as we've seen, their military and police organization buckled almost immediately. Canada isn't even capable of quickly organizing Transportation for 5,000 people! It's honestly embarrassing for a country like Canada.

As it stands, the US is actually handling this situation reasonably WELL!
And his solution is—it's obvious to everyone—to deal with it at the borders of Turkey and Greece; basically, in Brussels (well, Berlin, technically), Athens, and Ankara.

Anything else is just mindless rambling and pointless political theater from the current, aimless opposition here in America. ☕

That all sounds fine in theory, but there is no answer for one specific scenario. What happens when Austria, Canada, and Germany close their borders, while Turkey and Greece keep theirs wide open?
It is impossible to close a border without a physical fence. Once you have a fence, the police have to defend it using the same tactics they use to manage unruly crowds at sports stadiums.
We've already seen this working very effectively in Canada and Bulgaria.
Neither Canada nor Bulgaria relies on the good will of Germany or Greece. Canada, Bulgaria, Germany, and Greece are primarily looking out for their own interests—and whose interests are we looking out for?

Rachel Reyes93 said:It's pretty easy for me to be naive, I guess, since I don't really follow politics or get caught up in all those political games.
I just watch what's happening and offer my two cents.

We've had some major mistakes in our history that people constantly throw back in our faces. That's why we shouldn't be pushing migrants away or trying too hard to be cooperative.
We already accepted a quota of over 1,600 migrants; maybe Pittsburgh would be a good spot for them.

Can they actually force a hot spot on us against our will?
Do we even have the right to sue?

I don't think anything will be shoved down our throats outright, but we won't even realize when it happens. It’ll be gradual and sneaky—starting with this material aid, then moving to "humanitarian assistance," until naturally, we become some kind of massive collection center. We won't even know what hit us.
In my view, this is a total nightmare scenario. Let's hope it doesn't come to this, but... I'm worried.