CHIRLA denounces agreement due to undeniable examples of violence and insecurity that migrants face in Latin America, including Mexico.
Los Angeles, CA — The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the largest immigrant rights organization in California, labeled Thursday’s announcement by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to send migrants seeking asylum to Mexico to wait for the duration of their immigration proceedings, a dangerous step backwards for migrants and a likely violation of asylum and international law.
The following are comments from CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas:
“This announcement is a terrible and dangerous step backward and likely violates U.S. asylum law and international treaties. Mexico’s willingness to play along with this charade is a great disappointment.
This deal ignores the core issue of why thousands and thousands of families flee Latin America, including Mexico: the undeniable violence and insecurity that migrants suffer on a daily basis.
Central Americans and Mexicans — women, youth, and members of the LGBTQ community in particular — seek asylum in the U.S. because of insecurity, violence, and impunity in the countries of origin The United States and Mexico are denying reality with this agreement which will likely be challenged in court.
This agreement is part of an ongoing string of ill-intentioned decrees by the Trump Administration which completely ignores migrant safety and the right to seek asylum in the United States.”
