TAMPA, Fla. -- The House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on the most robust pieces of immigration legislation in more than a decade. 

This comes on the heels of an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump to keep families who illegally crossed into the U.S. together.

Prior to this, some Republicans argue the Trump administration has been acting on the policies of previous administrations. 

Politifact breaks down this claim and the numbers explaining what differentiates these policies. 

As for why there wasn't equal outrage when former President Barack Obama separated families – it comes down to numbers.

While Obama-era policies did lead to some family separations, it happened on a much smaller scale and less frequently.

On April 6th, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the new "zero-tolerance policy" on “both Attempted Illegal Entry and Illegal Entry into the United States by an alien."

The difference here is every single person caught crossing the U.S. border would be referred for federal prosecution.

And by law, when adults are detained/jailed, the children who are with them are placed in a Department of Health and Human Services shelter until they can be released to a guardian.

The Trump administration's approach was modeled after the Bush administration's 2005 program.

However, the difference between the two is while the Bush-era program referred all illegal immigrants for prosecution it also made exceptions for those traveling with children.

How does the U.S. Immigration System Work?

Refugees are admitted into the U.S. based on their inability to return to their home country due to “well-founded fear or persecution."

They must meet certain conditions to qualify. Typically, refugees apply for U.S. admission from a "transition country" outside of their homeland.

Each year, the President and Congress decide how many refugees can come into the U.S.

Asylum is available to persons already in the U.S., or at a Port of Entry, who are seeking protection based on the same five protected grounds upon which refugees rely. They may apply at a port of entry at the time they seek admission or within one year of arriving in the U.S. There is no limit on the number of individuals who may be granted asylum in a given year nor are there specific categories for determining who may seek asylum. Refugees and asylees are eligible to become Lawful Permanent Residents one year after admission to the United States as a refugee or one year after receiving asylum.

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