Today, seven Mexican civil society organizations published recommendations for the Biden-Harris administration to end the Migrant Protection Protocols (commonly known as “Remain in Mexico”) and provide support to those forced to await their US court dates in Mexico under this cruel program.

This document contains practical and logistical recommendations from Mexican civil society organizations working with refugees and migrants throughout Mexico, to assist the Biden-Harris administration in ending the MPP program, including detailed recommendations regarding:

• Support for shelters and CSOs throughout Mexico and Central America;
• Working with UNHCR and its partner organizations to identify beneficiaries;
• Facilitating safe travel for MPP asylum seekers;
• Providing additional support to COMAR; and
• Dismantling other harmful immigration policies

The Biden-Harris administration has an enormous opportunity to restore the US’s leadership in refugee protection, and to strengthen regional protection to ensure those fleeing persecution can find new opportunities to rebuild their lives. Reversing the Trump administration’s concerted war on asylum seekers and refugees will be a significant task, however, requiring resources, time, and a comprehensive vision. It will also demand cooperation and coordination with a host of actors across several countries that have been helping refugees navigate the increasingly hostile landscape throughout the Trump years.

This document contains recommendations from Civil Society Organizations working on the ground in Mexico, to assist the Biden-Harris Administration in ending MPP and facilitating an orderly and humane reversal of these horrendous policies. The undersigned organizations work hand-in-hand with the communities throughout Mexico affected by the Trump anti-immigrant agenda, and will be instrumental partners in identifying, advising and assisting victims.

Signatories:

Asylum Access México (AAMX) A.C.
Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Matías de Córdova A.C.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
Fundación Para La Justicia y el Estado Democrático de Derecho
Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migración A.C. (IMUMI)
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND – Mexico)
Sin Fronteras IAP

Read the full Recommendations from Mexican Civil Society Organizations to the Biden-Harris Administration.

(Updated on January 14, 2021, to correct an error regarding IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return program in an earlier version)

Previously, Asylum Access and Asylum Access Mexico published our own Key Points for Rebuilding a Better Regional Asylum System.