This country is a signatory nation to the 1967 Refugee Protocol (an extension of the 1951 Refugee Convention), one of 193 sovereign parties who have agreed on the process for the handling of refugees seeking asylum at their borders. Anyone who is interested in the structure of these agreements can find it on the Wikipedia page...
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
The problem with this for us is that the great majority of refugees worldwide seem to think the best place for them is here in this country. Personally I believe they are mistaken, but that's the way it goes.
A long time ago this country agreed to follow the protocols of the Refugee Convention, and we have a responsibility to do the best we can with this. A deal is a deal...even though the 45th President believed that deals were the way for the party with the most power, control, and money, to victimize the other parties to every deal.
Responsibilities of the member nations...
The contracting states shall not...
discriminate against refugees (Article 3)
take exceptional measures against a refugee solely on account of his or her nationality (Article 8)
expect refugees to pay taxes and fiscal charges that are different from those of nationals (Article 29)
impose penalties on refugees who entered illegally in search of asylum if they present themselves without delay (Article 31), which is commonly interpreted to mean that their unlawful entry and presence ought not to be prosecuted at all[19]
expel refugees (Article 32)
forcibly return or "refoul" refugees to the country they have fled from (Article 33). It is widely accepted that the prohibition of forcible return is part of customary international law. This means that even states that are not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention must respect the principle of non-refoulement.[18] Therefore, states are obligated under the Convention and under customary international law to respect the principle of non-refoulement. If this principle is threatened, UNHCR can respond by intervening with relevant authorities and, if it deems necessary, will inform the public.[18]
Refugees shall be treated at least like nationals in relation to
freedom to practice their religion (Article 4)
the respect and protection of artistic rights and industrial property (Article 14)
rationing (Article 20)
elementary education (Article 22)
public relief and assistance (Article 23)
labour legislation and social security (Article 24)
Refugees shall be treated at least like other non-nationals in relation to
movable and immovable property (Article 13)
the right of association in unions or other associations (Article 15)
wage-earning employment (Article 17)
self-employment (Article 18)
practice of the liberal professions (Article 19)
housing (Article 21)
education higher than elementary (Article 22)
the right to free movement and free choice of residence within the country (Article 26)