Asylum Seekers In Mexico Worry About Waiting Longer In Dangerous Conditions Due To COVID-19

A February report from Human Rights first found at least 1,000 cases of violent crime against migrants in the program, including kidnapping, rape and murder.

By Mallory FalkApril 28, 2020 9:30 amBorder & Immigration, Coronavirus, Health & Science, KERA, Partner Organizations, Texas Newsroom

Mallory Falk / KERA News

Asylum seekers line up on the Paso del Norte International Bridge in Ciudad Juárez to receive new court dates. All hearings for asylum seekers in the Migrant Protection Protocols have been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

From KERA:

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration has effectively sealed off the border to asylum seekers and restricted immigration. One change affects migrants who have been sent to wait in Mexico as their asylum cases play out in U.S. immigration court as part of the “Remain in Mexico” program, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP).

In the past, if migrants experienced violence and persecution while waiting, they could try to get removed from the program by requesting something called a non-refoulement interview. COVID-19 has complicated the process.

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