Immigration policy criticized for its “externalization”

MEXICO CITY (EFE).— The “externalization” of U.S. responsibilities in this area is hidden in Mexican immigration policy, denounced yesterday María Dolores París, professor and researcher at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte (Colef).

“In Mexico, specifically, we have policies that were clearly promoted to meet the United States’ interest in outsourcing its immigration policy,” he said at the opening session of the twelfth edition of “The Migration Conference,” held at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

He argued that migration externalization means the “expansion” of the vision and responsibilities of northern countries towards southern countries, so that they are the ones who “block, prevent or select” migrants who want to reach the former.

“In Mexico, most of the work of detaining and deporting adults and, much more, unaccompanied children and adolescents is carried out,” he added.

He pointed out that in the United States “there are many more restrictions on the deportation” of Central Americans than in Mexico.

“In reality, the outsourcing of asylum policies only began in 2016, during the Barack Obama administration (2009-2017),” added Paris during his speech yesterday.

These immigration measures, “some legal and others illegal,” were intended to make migrants wait in Mexico “for months and then for years” to request asylum in the United States.

The expert referred to the US application CBP One, which allows migrants arriving at the border to present themselves at a port of entry and request asylum.

According to her, it has generated “the large camps that exist in Mexico City” and that experts “knew very well in Tijuana (state of Baja California) and Ciudad Juárez (state of Chihuahua), both border towns.

Focusing on Central America, Paris underlined the character of a “safe third country” that Donald Trump, during his term (2017-2021), wanted to give to Guatemala, a concept that enables a State to welcome those who request asylum in another.

No changes Under review

Sister Magda Silva, director of Cafemin, does not expect a change soon.

Low expectations

“I don’t have many positive expectations in Mexico or, believe me, in the United States,” reiterated the director of the Shelter, Training and Empowerment for Migrant and Refugee Women and Families (Cafemin).

They ask to modify

Opposition senator Emilio Álvarez Icaza of the Plural Group urged the authorities to carry out a “deep review” of their attitude towards migration because, he said, outsourcing causes a “very dangerous” rise in xenophobia.

Related