Biden administration admits first group of migrants forced to stay in Mexico under Trump-era politics

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Under former President Donald Trump, the United States forced migrants from Central America and other parts of the world who sought asylum at the southern border to remain in Mexico until their court hearings in l immigration to the United States.

More than 70,000 people have been submitted to the program. Many have waited months, if not years, in squalid conditions and under threat of extortion, sexual assault and kidnapping. The Biden administration estimates that some 25,000 migrants still have active cases. This group will be eligible for the first phase of the restoration.

The so-called “stay in Mexico” policy, which took effect in January 2019, was an unprecedented departure from previous protocols, which allowed migrants to enter during their immigration hearings in the United States. Reversing it will be a big lift.

On Friday, the Biden administration launched its effort to gradually allow entry for migrants subject to the policy. The process of admitting migrants began at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, located on the California-Mexico border. A limited number of individuals registered in advance by international organizations have passed through the port.

“We mainly relied on partners and civil society organizations that worked with these families and with these people … and we indicated their vulnerability,” a United Nations official told reporters on Thursday, referring to the how the first group of migrants was chosen. .

Individuals were required to test for Covid-19 before entering the United States.

Other ports will begin processing next week, including Brownsville, TX on Feb.22 and El Paso, TX on Feb.26, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The ministry will build capacity over time to allow entry of more migrants subject to the policy.

Misinformation and rumors spread along the border

One of the challenges facing the administration in its deployment is to fight against rumors. Misinformation has spread along the US-Mexico border, through smugglers or word of mouth, among migrants seeking answers. Dozens of people showed up at the port on the Mexican side on Friday, in part due to rumors, hoping to be allowed entry into the United States.

The UN refugee agency uses social media to relay relevant information about the political rollback, urging migrants to stay put and register virtually until told. opposite.

Immigrant advocates hailed Biden’s pledge to end the policy and allow admission of those subject to it, but urged the administration to act quickly.

“This Trump-era policy has been a humanitarian catastrophe, depriving thousands of asylum seekers of a meaningful opportunity to obtain asylum, while forcing them to endure perilous conditions in Mexico where they have been. target of kidnappings, rapes and other abuses, “Judy Rabinovitz, lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union and lead counsel in the case challenging the policy, said in a statement.

“The action of the Biden administration is a good start to end this inhumanity, but it must act quickly to address the potentially fatal situation facing all those affected by this policy,” she said. added.

For months, officials have been meticulously planning the rollback of the policy, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, and engaging with immigrant advocacy organizations along the border that have worked directly with them. migrants.

International organizations are helping Mexico. Gathering locations have been identified in Mexico in each of the three cities where the entries will take place, United Nations officials told reporters this week.

Once an individual has checked in virtually and has been confirmed as eligible to enter, they will be asked to approach the assembly location 24 hours before their crossing date, according to a United Nations official. There, migrants will be tested for Covid-19. If someone tests positive, they will be quarantined for 10 days.
“Through the Department of State’s Office of Population, Refugees, and Migration, the United States is funding partner international organizations with experience in performing medical screenings for migrant populations around the world to assist people before they arrive at US ports of entry, ”according to a state department fact sheet.

Once migrants arrive in the United States, the Biden administration relies heavily on advocacy organizations to help migrants get to where they need to go. Some, for example, may have family or friends in different parts of the United States and will travel to those locations and complete their hearings in immigration court there.

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