Amnesty International has publicly denounced the US government’s actions that systematically undermine the right to asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border. In its report, “Lives in Limbo: Devastating Impacts of Trump’s Migration and Asylum Policies”, the organisation illustrates how recent border policies and militarisation have stranded thousands in Mexico, devoid of legal pathways to safety.
Amy Fischer, Director of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Program at Amnesty International USA, highlighted the troubling realities stating, “The Trump administration has made the U.S.-Mexico border a zone that is overtly hostile to human rights and displays utter disregard for the humanity and dignity of people on the move.”
The situation is exacerbated by significant cuts in funding for humanitarian organisations that previously aided asylum seekers. Social support programmes, reliant on support from USAID, are now crippled, leaving countless individuals without essential shelter and legal assistance. Amnesty pledges to document the arising human rights abuses and calls on Mexico to cease its collaboration with US policies that jeopardise asylum seekers’ safety.
With Trump’s aggressive immigration reforms, new executive orders have prohibited undocumented migrants from entering the US, labelling the movement a kind of ‘invasion’. The orders restrict those reaching US soil from claiming asylum and prohibit entry for those lacking specific medical or criminal records. Furthermore, a troop surge has reinforced border security, tightening access for migrants.
A pivotal change has been the abrupt termination of the CBP One smartphone app, which facilitated over 936,500 asylum seekers in securing entry appointments over the past two years. The termination has left many stranded, adding to the sense of despair and confusion among those desperately seeking refuge.
Despite the Mexican government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, opposing Trump’s immigration directives in favour of upholding sovereignty and the rights of its people, asylum seekers remain trapped in a perilous limbo. The ongoing diplomatic tension between the US and Mexico complicates an already dire situation for thousands originating from Central and South America, looking for a glimmer of hope in their path to safety.
Under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, individuals have the right to apply for asylum if they face political or social persecution. The 1951 Refugee Convention assures against forced returns to danger, while the 1990 Migrant Workers Convention protects migrant workers and their families from exploitation. Additionally, Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights emphasises the fundamental right to seek asylum against persecution.
Amnesty International criticises the US government’s asylum policies, claiming they undermine human rights at the Mexico border. Thousands of asylum seekers face adversity as executive orders restrict their ability to claim asylum. The termination of the CBP One app exacerbates the crisis, leaving many stranded. Human rights laws protect asylum seekers, yet current US policies challenge these rights and put their futures in jeopardy.
Amnesty International’s condemnation of US asylum policies highlights the severe consequences faced by asylum seekers at the Mexico border. The dismantling of legal protections and crucial support systems for migrants has left many stranded and vulnerable. Urging changes in policy, Amnesty highlights the need for humane treatment of individuals seeking safety, reiterating that the right to asylum must be preserved and protected.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
