>Actually, I flat-lined (not literally) someone who wasn't aware of the recent news about the deportation raids that might occur next month, targeting those who crossed the southern border last year. I asked specifically why the administration would green-light deportations of those who were facing violence in Central/South America, while also advocating taking in refugees from Syria.

The "correct" answer to that is according to international law people from places like Syria cannot be sent back - even if they commit crimes in your country. You are only allowed to send people back to places like Central Anerica, where violence might be also high, but is not yet flagged as a war zone, or they are in danger for religuos/ethnic reasons (normally those needed to enter as a refugee). So suddenly some people from Balkan in danger of deportation can show flimsy documentation of being Roma. Hard to disprove with enough certainty for german courts to still order deportation...

Stupid law if you ask me, as it does not give refugees habituated to more violence than in guest country reason to think it over and also gives arguments to those wanting to close the border for refugees totally. Loose-Loose...