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During Tuesday’s episode of CNN’s “The Source,” host Kaitlan Collins highlighted that discussing the misuse of the asylum system is irrelevant when the focus is on asylum seekers receiving healthcare benefits amid the government shutdown.
Senator Tim Sheehy from Montana expressed concerns, remarking, “They’re essentially saying we won’t let the government operate unless you provide us with $1.5 trillion for programs the American public largely doesn’t support anymore. This includes healthcare for non-citizens, illegal immigrants, and healthcare expansions in other countries. They’re demanding this funding, or they’ll continue the government shutdown. This approach isn’t negotiating in good faith.”
In response, Collins clarified, “These benefits aren’t for those here illegally. They apply to individuals with various legal statuses, like asylum seekers and refugees.”
Sheehy argued, “But referring to them as noncitizens is still accurate.”
Collins retorted, “However, you initially mentioned people here illegally.”
Sheehy responded, “Some of those people would be considered here illegally.”
Later, Sheehy said, “[A] lot of people come under asylum, claim asylum, which are not actually asylum seekers, that system has been abused by fives of millions, tens of millions, potentially people.”
Collins responded, “But that’s a legal process. You can change the law if you don’t like it. But my point is, they’re not people who have crossed the border illegally.”
Sheehy countered, “But if they abused the process and lied about it, that’s illegal. If they have falsely claimed asylum status, been given asylum status during an administration that chose to voluntarily –.”
Collins then stated, “Okay, you’re getting off the topic. My point is, people who are DACA recipients, temporary protected status refugees, these are the people who get — who qualify for that.”
