In the United States, a controversial deportation practice ended overnight. The feared even greater chaos on the border with Mexico has so far apparently failed to materialize. But the insecurity for the numerous migrants is steadily increasing.
Tens of thousands of migrants on the southern border of the USA fear for their future with great uncertainty. With the lifting of the corona emergency in the United States, a controversial deportation practice that had made it possible to quickly reject migrants in previous years, citing the pandemic, ended that night.
The feared mass border crossings after the end of the restrictive immigration restrictions did not materialize for the time being. There has been no significant increase in border crossings from Mexico to the United States, said Department of Interior Department chief Blas Nunez-Neto. But the uncertain situation on the US southern border is becoming more and more desperate for many – and has now also caused criticism from the UN.
Many of the migrants from Central and South America had hoped that the elimination of the so-called “Title 42” regulation would give them better chances of being admitted to the USA, but are increasingly disillusioned. Because the US government has enacted numerous measures to counteract the rush at the border.
Apparently no major incidents at the border
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas tried again today to dampen false expectations. “The border is not open,” he said when the controversial deportation practice expired. From now on, people who arrive at the border without using a legal route will initially no longer be considered eligible for asylum, he explained.
In the morning (local time), the Mexican government spoke of a “calm and normal” situation, with no major crowds or significant incidents. “There were no confrontations or violent situations at the border,” said Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.
US President Joe Biden had previously warned that the situation at the border would remain “chaotic for a while”.
Deportations have so far been possible with reference to the pandemic
The “Title 42” regulation makes it possible to prevent people from entering the USA if there is a risk to public health through the introduction of diseases. In March 2020 – under the impression of the corona pandemic – the border protection authorities under the then US President Donald Trump were instructed to apply this rule.
With reference to the pandemic, a quick and unbureaucratic rejection of migrants became possible – even before they could even apply for asylum. 2.8 million deportations are said to have taken place within three years under the “Title 42” rule.
The regulation was actually supposed to expire last year, but several US states, including Arizona and Texas, objected – and were right. The controversial deportation practice only ended when the Corona emergency ended. Illegal entry attempts will now be punished. Many migrants fear that in future they will not be deported to Mexico, but to their home countries.
App for registering with border authorities overloaded
In addition, the US government has issued a whole series of measures to reduce the crowds at the border. Migrants who want to go to the United States must use an app to book an appointment with the border authorities. However, only a limited number of appointments are made available and many people at the border report that the software is overloaded. The US government has also sent additional personnel to the border. Among other things, 1,500 soldiers are to help the authorities in the border region for 90 days with administrative tasks such as data entry and camp support.
At the end of April, the US government also announced that it would open migration centers in Colombia and Guatemala, among other places, and move the initial registration of asylum seekers there. In this way, they want to “spare” people the often dangerous journey to the US border.
Uncertainty about the new rules
According to US media reports, the number of migrants in northern Mexico hoping to enter the United States is currently 150,000. Because many find it difficult to assess the new rules, some tried to cross the border on Thursday and in the days before.
According to the authorities, around 500 to 700 migrants arrived in the Mexican border city of Tijuana every day, more than twice as many as before. Hundreds have managed to climb a first wall on US soil in the past few days and are now waiting in an area before the second wall to face border security officials to have their cases reviewed.
Biden’s asylum policy draws UN criticism
UN organizations have criticized US President Joe Biden’s handling of migrants on the border with Mexico as contrary to international law. The refugee agency UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration said the new rule, according to which anyone who enters irregularly after passing through another country has no right to asylum, is incompatible with the principles of international refugee law.
UNHCR and IOM warned that obstacles preventing people from exercising their fundamental right to asylum are unacceptable and in breach of international obligations. Repatriation of rejected asylum seekers should also only take place after a proper procedure. Forced returns in situations where the life and safety of those concerned are at risk are prohibited.
The UN agencies praised the US-led expansion of refugee resettlement programs and other new avenues of legal immigration. However, this does not release states from granting access to their territory and to asylum procedures. Incidentally, most migrants from the American double continent would be taken in by countries in Latin America.