September 21st #SaveAsylum Action | Condemning the 'Remain in Mexico" Policy
The event began with migrants marching from downtown Nogales, Sonora to the port of entry for a moment of prayer. They continued along International Street to the border wall where they were received by supporters and advocates on the U.S. side of the wall. Together, this binational #SaveAsylum coalition, made up of migrants and civil society groups that are both secular and faith-based, listened to and validated the testimonies of asylum seekers who are awaiting their U.S. asylum hearings in Nogales as part of the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP), otherwise known as ‘Remain in Mexico.’ In an act of ‘civil initiative,’ we took part in this action, and take part in future actions, as part of the ongoing #SaveAsylum campaign to address the failure of the U.S. government to adhere to international and U.S. law, as is evident in the inhumane and illegal implementation of ‘Remain in Mexico.’
Pope Francis reminds us that families at the border are not just victims of their terrible circumstances. They are mothers, fathers and children who can be agents of their own redemption. Their work in organizing today's event is a sign of that hope and power. They journey with incredible courage and resilience, trusting that God might work through us to to change their circumstances. Let us assume this co-responsibility and communicate to our elected officials that as a matter of morality, humanity, and justice that we must protect the right to asylum.
-Bishop Edward Weisenburger of the Diocese of Tucson
|
|
Background
The ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy was first implemented in Nogales in January of 2019, forcing asylum seekers to wait months or years in Mexico for their U.S. asylum hearings. This policy, among others, has subjected many of the migrants to serious danger and uncertainty. Beyond a lack of safety for migrants and their families, preparing for a court date is nearly impossible to do from Mexico as resources and representation are difficult to obtain since many migrants struggle to receive work authorization in Mexico. Now the Trump Administration has used the global pandemic as a pretext to fully suspend asylum processing, including ‘Remain in Mexico’ hearings, denying migrants fleeing persecution their right to refuge and due process in the United States.
Dozens of asylum seekers currently in Nogales, Sonora have been waiting since December to begin the process of seeking protection in the U.S. Hundreds of asylum seekers returned to Nogales under the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy have had their very first court dates rescheduled from March or April 2020 to October 2020, with no guarantee that the court will even be open by that date. Yet, CBP continues to place newly arriving Cubans and Venezuelans under the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy and to return them to prolonged limbo in Nogales, Sonora.
The SaveAsylum coalition, made up of civil society groups in the U.S and Mexico, secular and faith-based, is rooted in the concept of ‘civil initiative’ and our responsibility to hold the government accountable. We believe that the U.S. has failed to protect basic human rights of asylum seekers and violated both international and domestic law by prohibiting access to asylum.
Dozens of asylum seekers currently in Nogales, Sonora have been waiting since December to begin the process of seeking protection in the U.S. Hundreds of asylum seekers returned to Nogales under the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy have had their very first court dates rescheduled from March or April 2020 to October 2020, with no guarantee that the court will even be open by that date. Yet, CBP continues to place newly arriving Cubans and Venezuelans under the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy and to return them to prolonged limbo in Nogales, Sonora.
The SaveAsylum coalition, made up of civil society groups in the U.S and Mexico, secular and faith-based, is rooted in the concept of ‘civil initiative’ and our responsibility to hold the government accountable. We believe that the U.S. has failed to protect basic human rights of asylum seekers and violated both international and domestic law by prohibiting access to asylum.
