Authors: Ariana Ramos Mercado, Christian Baca
Welcome to LAWG’s Migration News Brief, a compilation of recent top articles and reports related to issues of U.S. immigration and enforcement policy and migration from Central America and Mexico.
Spotlight
Ramirez, Casar, Kamlager-Dove to Launch Congressional Caucus to Address Global Migration
Delia C. Ramirez, June 27, 2024
“Today, … 21 members of Congress launched a new congressional caucus which aims to find effective, long-term solutions to humanely address irregular and forced migration around the world. The members of Congress, joined by international migration advocacy organizations, announced at a press conference that the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration will position Congress as an effective ally in building the political will to: advance regional and global collaboration; and establish partnerships with local and grassroots leaders needed to realize effective, orderly, and humane migration management.”
Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador firman un convenio para unificar datos biométricos
Forbes, 25 de junio de 2024
“Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador firmaron este lunes un convenio para cooperar en temas de manejo de datos biométricos en busca de mejorar la seguridad de las fronteras que comparten los tres países”.
US Enforcement
US to pay for flights to help Panama remove migrants who may be heading north
Rebecca Santana, AP News, July 1, 2024
“The United States is going to pay for flights and offer other help to Panama to remove migrants under an agreement signed Monday, as the Central American country’s new president has vowed to shut down the treacherous Darien Gap used by people traveling north to the United States.”
How They Voted (Congress)
Myron Struck, The Highland Current, June 28, 2024
“The House on June 27, by a 213-199 vote, passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) to the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (H.R. 8771), that would reduce funding for migration and refugee assistance programs by $500 million, with those funds instead going to international narcotics control and law enforcement programs…Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), said: ‘By cutting this assistance, nations hosting these refugees will not accept growing refugee populations in their countries, potentially destabilizing regions and threatening global stability and security.’ ”
The Biden Administration Is on Pace to Match Trump Deportation Numbers—Focusing on the Border, Not the U.S. Interior
Muzaffar Chishti and Kathleen Bush-Joseph, Migration Policy Institute, June 27, 2024
“The Biden administration took office amid heightened debate in some circles over the merits and tactics of deportations, yet it is on track to carry out as many removals and returns as the Trump administration did. The 1.1 million deportations since the beginning of fiscal year (FY) 2021 through February 2024 (the most recent data available) are on pace to match the 1.5 million deportations carried out during the four years President Donald Trump was in office. ”
Biden border restrictions bring sharp drop in illegal crossings
Nick Miroff, Washington Post, June 26, 2024
“The number of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border illegally has dropped more than 40 percent in the three weeks since President Biden announced broad restrictions on asylum claims, administration officials said Wednesday. U.S. agents have taken fewer than 2,400 migrants into custody per day over the past week, down from more than 3,800 at the beginning of June, according to the latest Department of Homeland Security data. That is the lowest level of illegal crossings since Biden took office, DHS said.”
A new $72,000 migrant smuggling route to the US starts with a charter flight, and many Indians are waiting to board
The Economic Times, June 25, 2024
“Indian nationals on a Legend Airlines flight faced challenges in El Salvador as they attempted to reach the U.S. via Mexico. The incident sheds light on a new phase of illegal immigration through intercontinental smuggling routes, impacting U.S. border policies and migrants’ journeys.”
Family of Afro Indigenous activist in immigration detention worries he may be deported back to danger
Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, June 25, 2024
“Erlin Centeno, a Garifuna land rights defender, … and his family were endangered after four of his cousins were killed and he started receiving many letters and text messages containing death threats, according to court transcripts obtained by NBC News of his testimony to an immigration judge. The threats were a result of the work he and his cousins did defending the territorial rights of Afro Indigenous communities in his homeland known as Garifuna, according to Centeno and his wife…’He had been complying with his ICE check-in requirements when he was suddenly separated from his family,’ Solis said.”
U.S. House Overwhelmingly Passes Stanton’s Bipartisan Bill to Combat Fentanyl Trafficking in the U.S. and Mexico
U.S. Congresswoman Greg Stanton (AZ-04), June 24, 2024
“[T]he U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Greg Stanton’s American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act with strong bipartisan support. The bill will increase cooperation between local entities in the United States and Mexico to combat the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Stanton’s legislation would require…Law enforcement cooperation at the subnational level, including bolstering technological assistance for agencies, professional development exchanges, and enhanced data sharing; Coordination and dialogue between local governments, civil society, faith-based organizations and business community leaders; Capacity building and provide additional resources for border towns to meet local needs.”
Trump promised green cards to all migrants who graduated in US. Then his campaign walked it back
Oliver O’Connell, Independent, June 23 2024
“Donald Trump’s campaign is walking back a promise from the former president that he would automatically give green cards to all overseas students studying in the US once they graduate…The campaign is now emphasizing a strict vetting process as part of the plan after the idea received immediate pushback.”
USCIS Extends Employment Authorization Documents under Temporary Protected Status Designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, June 20, 2024
“We are extending the validity of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries under the designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan through March 9, 2025.”
Factsheet: Removal and Return of Non-Mexican Nationals from the United States to Mexico
Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migración A.C., June 2024
“In the past four years, the United States has expelled, returned, or removed (deported) an increasing number of non-Mexican nationals from the United States to Mexico. The U.S. and Mexico have carried out these expulsions, returns and removals without transparency – neither country has published any formal agreement or guidance that explains or limits when or how such removals may be carried out.”
Mexican Enforcement
Estados Unidos y Panamá acuerdan cerrar paso y repatriar a migrantes
El Periódico de México, 1 de julio 2024
“Los gobiernos de Panamá y Estados Unidos firmaron este lunes (01.07.2024) un memorando de entendimiento (MOU) en el que la Administración estadounidense “se compromete a cubrir el gasto de la repatriación” de migrantes por Darién, la frontera natural con Colombia que es empleada por cientos de personas a diario en su camino hacia Norteamérica, según informaron las autoridades.”
Rescatan a migrantes hacinados dentro de un camión en México; cinco son hondureños
Angelo Avila, El Heraldo, July 1, 2024
“Un grupo de 63 migrantes de diferentes nacionalidades que se encontraban hacinados en el interior de un camión de carga fueron rescatados en el estado de Chihuahua, en México…El vehículo que transportaban a los migrantes encerrados bajo temperaturas extremas fue interceptado por un retén militar en el poblado de Samalayuca, localidad situada en la zona desértica en el norte de Chihuahua”.
Massive displacement latest sign of fear in Mexican state disputed by cartels
María Verza, AP News, June 25, 2024
“Flames began to leap around Tila, a town of about 10,000 people living along steep streets surrounded by mountains in the southern state of Chiapas. Five hours of shooting were followed by three days of townspeople hiding inside their homes waiting for help. …some 5,000 people fled from Tila with what they could carry. It was one of the largest displacements of people in southern Mexico since the 1990s and just the latest example of the security challenges awaiting Mexico’s next president.”
Indígenas denuncian “tormenta sufrida” bajo Gobierno de AMLO
DW, 25 de junio de 2024
“El Espacio de Coordinación Nacional ‘Alto a la Guerra contra los Pueblos’, que representa a zapatistas y comunidades originarias de México, denunció este lunes (24.06.2024) la “represión” contra movimientos indígenas, ambientalistas y colectivos de derechos humanos durante el Gobierno de Andrés Manuel López Obrador”.
Root Causes
Mexico
Migración climática, otra cara de las inundaciones en México
Samanta Escobar, El Economista, 1 de julio de 2024
“En el 2023, se registraron 196,000 desplazamientos internos por desastres en todo el territorio mexicano, según el IDMC. Los huracanes y otros fenómenos hidrometeorológicos han aumentado su intensidad año con año en México, lo que deriva en inundaciones severas que no solo dañan el patrimonio de miles de personas, sino también ponen en riesgo sus vidas. Estas condiciones han desatado una dinámica de migración climática interna en el país”.
El proyecto que cambió la vida de Ronald y que quiere emplear a un millón de migrantes en México
Jorge Vaquero Simancas, El País, 1 de julio de 2024
“una colaboración entre el Gobierno mexicano, la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM) de la ONU, varias organizaciones internacionales y Tent Partnership for Refugees, que buscan emplear a personas migrantes y refugiadas en 60 grandes empresas mexicanas. Tent ha determinado que hay 1.250.000 vacantes para ellos en territorio mexicano”.
Migrants tortured on Mexican side of border, where kidnapping is rife
David Agren, National Catholic Reporter, June 28, 2024
“Mexican authorities recently rescued 13 kidnapped migrants from a Ciudad Juárez stash house, where the captives ‘were beaten, tortured, sexually assaulted and extorted for additional smuggling fees by members of a transnational criminal organization,’ according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security…The rescue of the migrants in Ciudad Juárez offered a rude reminder of the risks confronting migrants as they transit Mexico in attempts to reach the U.S. border and the increasing control of drug cartels and criminal groups over the flow of migrants.”
Why Biden’s asylum halt is falling hardest on Mexicans and other nationalities Mexico will take
Elliot Spagat, Associated Press, June 27, 2024
“The asylum halt, which took effect June 5 and has led to a 40% decline in arrests for illegal crossings, applies to all nationalities. But it falls hardest on those most susceptible to deportation — specifically, Mexicans and others Mexico agrees to take (Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans). Lack of money for charter flights, sour diplomatic ties and other operational challenges make it more difficult to deport people to many countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.”
The Iron River of Weapons to Mexico: Its Sources and Contents
Stop US Arms to Mexico, June 2024
“The iron river of weapons transiting from the United States to Mexico that empowers criminal organizations and accelerates forced migration originates from hundreds of gun manufacturers and passes through thousands of local U.S. gun dealers, every year. In reaction to the flow of illicit weapons, a firearms race has developed, in which gun companies export more and increasingly militarized weapons to Mexican police and military forces. ”
Guatemala
La renovación de cortes, una nueva prueba de la fortaleza del pacto de corruptos en Guatemala
Sofía Menchú, El País, 1 de julio de 2024
“Una misión de la OEA llegó al país centroamericano a supervisar el proceso de elección de jueces y magistrados de dos altos tribunales a petición del presidente Bernardo Arévalo”.
Analizan el potencial e impacto de la habilitación de parques industriales en Guatemala
Urias Gamarro, Prensa Libre, 1 de julio de 2024
“Con base en la experiencia de otros países de la región centroamericana, la OCDE presentará un pliego de recomendaciones para el desarrollo del sector en Escuintla”.
Reciben tras siete años de exilio a defensora indígena de Guatemala
Prensa Latina, ElPaís.cr, 30 de junio de 2024
“Ciudad de Guatemala, 30 jun (Prensa Latina) Organizaciones recibieron hoy con una ceremonia maya en su comunidad de Santa Cruz, departamento de Quiché, a Aura “Lolita” Chávez, defensora de derechos de los pueblos indígenas de Guatemala, exiliada desde 2017.”
Guatemalan appeals court revokes order to grant house arrest to journalist José Rubén Zamora
Associated Press, NBC News, June 26, 2024
“A Guatemalan appeals court on Tuesday revoked a judge’s order to give house arrest to journalist José Rubén Zamora, known for railing against corruption in the Central American country.”
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo says he found a ‘semi-destroyed country’ on taking office
Sonia Pérez D., AP News, June 20, 2024
“Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo says opposition in the Congress and the Attorney General’s Office have made it difficult to implement the change he seeks for the Central American nation which he found “semi-destroyed” when he took office almost six months ago.”
Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador firman un convenio para unificar datos biométricos
Forbes, 25 de junio de 2024
“Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador firmaron este lunes un convenio para cooperar en temas de manejo de datos biométricos en busca de mejorar la seguridad de las fronteras que comparten los tres países”.
El Salvador
El Salvador impulsa modelo de “autoritarismo punitivo”, sostienen expertos
Gabriela Villarroel, La Prensa Grafica, 1 de julio de 2024
“La extensión indefinida del régimen de excepción en El Salvador ha provocado un cambio de régimen político en El Salvador, según destacaron expertos en foro internacional”.
“Mi nieta fallecida y mi hija presa, han sido víctimas del Estado”
Marielos Román, La Prensa Grafica, 27 de junio de 2024
“Reyna Aguilar pide justicia para su nieta, de nueve meses, quien murió hace un año en un penal al que fue llevada junto a su madre, detenida tras una llamada anónima”.
Nayib Bukele pone a trabajar a presos bajo el plan “Cero Ocio”
Diario EP, 25 de junio de 2024
“El presidente de El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, inició la implementación del plan «Cero Ocio», una iniciativa destinada a promover la reinserción social de los presidiarios a través del trabajo comunitario”.
Organizaciones civiles piden libertad de presos políticos
Lissette Lemus, elsalvador.com, 24 de junio de 2024
“Con velas encendidas, consignas y mensajes de apoyo integrantes de varias organizaciones defensoras de derechos humanos mostraron su solidaridad con los capturados de la Alianza El Salvador en Paz que se encuentran recluidos en las bartolinas de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) conocidas como el penalito”.
WFP at hand as El Salvador bears brunt of storms lashing Central America
WFP, reliefweb, June 20, 2024
“The World Food Programme is working with the Government of El Salvador to respond to devastating floods in the country that have killed 12 people, after an intense storm struck Central America over the weekend.”
Honduras
ONU solicita más cambios a Honduras para instalación de la CICIH
Julio Cruz, El Heraldo, 2 de junio de 2024
“El gobierno ha presentado dos propuestas de convenio y una propuesta de ley de la diputada Hortencia Zelaya; en cada una de ellas la ONU pidió cambios”.
Inauguran en Honduras un centro para migrantes donde reciben alojamiento, atención médica y legal
Noticias Telemundo, 29 de junio de 2024
“El sitio cuenta con capacidad para atender a 800 personas que necesiten trámites migratorios. Ofrece alojamiento y atención médica y psicológica a cerca de 400 migrantes. La instalación fue inaugurada por la presidenta de ese país, Xiomara Castro”.
Honduras Battles to Dismantle Former President’s Narco-State Legacy
AFP, The Tico Times, June 28, 2024
“Honduras still has a long way to go to dismantle the “narco-state” that grew under ex-president Juan Orlando Hernandez, jailed this week for smuggling a deluge of cocaine into the United States, experts said.”
Honduras ex-president sentenced to 45 years for helping drug traffickers
Al Jazeera, June 26, 2024
“Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras once seen as an important US ally with tough-on-crime politics, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for his conviction on drugs and weapons charges.”
Regional
El Salvador worried about hurricane Beryl
Prensa Latina, July 1, 2024
“The government is keeping El Salvador under alert due to the advance of Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), Fernando Lopez, said today…Losses in El Salvador were estimated at 175 deaths, hundreds of missing persons, 80,000 victims, more than 10,000 houses damaged and seven percent of the schools destroyed.”
Biden administration gives temporary protected status to 309,000 more Haitian migrants
Julia Ainsley, NBC News, June 28, 2024
“The Biden administration on Friday announced new temporary protected status for Haitians who arrived in the U.S. on or before June 3, 2024, to shield even those who entered the country illegally from being deported back to Haiti, which remains in the grip of gang violence.”
Panama’s next president wants a deal with US on deporting migrants who cross the perilous Darien Gap
Abraham Terán and Juan Zamorano, AP News, June 27, 2024
“Panama’s President-elect José Raúl Mulino announced on Friday that he wants an agreement with the United States on deporting migrants who cross into the world’s busiest migration route, the perilous Darien Gap, along his country’s border with Colombia.”
Gender mainstreaming in climate change, resilience and disaster risk reduction
UNDP, June 26, 2024
“This document is particularly aimed at Resident Coordinators and country teams of the UNS in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its objective is to provide recommendations to assist their mission to support countries in developing actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly mainstreaming gender into sustainable development agendas, biodiversity, climate change, pollution, waste, and disaster risk reduction, with an aim towards alignment.”
Ortega regime turns Nicaragua into gateway for irregular migration to the United States
Wilfredo Miranda Aburto, El País, June 22, 2024
“Over the past 12 months, Managua has received more than 1,000 flights with migrants from countries such as Libya, Morocco, Uzbekistan, India and Tajikistan. Upon landing, they begin different routes to reach the U.S.-Mexico border.”
Gender and LGBTQ+
As Tourism Booms in Latin America, Sexual Harassment Against Latinas Has Too
Christina Noriega, Refinery 29, July 2, 2024
“As Latin America undergoes a tourism boom, an increasing number of visitors are American and European men looking to date or engage in casual sex with Latinas. Foreigners crop up routinely on apps like Tinder and Bumble. Guides to romancing Latin American women have multiplied online.”
El Gobierno despidió al 85% de la planta del ex Ministerio de la Mujer y las trabajadoras denuncian vaciamiento
La Prensa, 1 de julio de 2024
“El Gobierno de Javier Milei anunció un recorte del 85% de la planta de lo que pertenecía al ex Ministerio de Mujeres, Género y Diversidad en el marco de la baja de contratos estatales que se realiza de forma trimestral”.
Guatemala Constitutional Court imposes restrictions on LGBTQ+ Pride Parade
Daniela Pulido, Jurist news, June 30, 2024
“Guatemala Constitutional Court issued a ruling Friday requiring public security authorities to supervise the LGBTQ+ Pride Parade to ensure it conforms to “good customs.” This decision came in response to a legal challenge filed by lawyer Roberto Cano, who claimed the parade contains “immoral, sexual, and depraved scenes contrary to the moral and integral development of children.”
Presidente de Costa Rica destituye a ministra por apoyar marcha LGBT
France 24, 30 de junio de 2024
“El presidente de Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, destituyó este sábado a la ministra de Cultura y Juventud, Nayuribe Guadamuz, y al comisionado de Inclusión Social, Ricardo Sosa, por apoyar la marcha LGBT convocada para el domingo en la capital San José”.
Gender mainstreaming in climate change, resilience and disaster risk reduction
UNDP, June 26, 2024
“This document is particularly aimed at Resident Coordinators and country teams of the UNS in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its objective is to provide recommendations to assist their mission to support countries in developing actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly mainstreaming gender into sustainable development agendas, biodiversity, climate change, pollution, waste, and disaster risk reduction, with an aim towards alignment.”
Young gay Latinos see a rising share of new HIV cases, leading to a call for targeted funding
Anessa G. Sanchez, Phillip Reese, Devna Bose, KFF Health News and AP News, June 24, 2024
“Overall, estimated new HIV infection rates have declined 23% from 2012 to 2022. But a KFF Health News-Associated Press analysis found the rate has not fallen for Latinos as much as it has for other racial and ethnic groups.”
Actions, alerts, resources
Fact check: What did Biden and Trump claim about immigration in the debate?
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, June 28, 2024
“Trump accused Biden of allowing millions of unauthorized migrants to enter the country. He also said many falsehoods about the current state of immigration. Meanwhile, Biden attempted to explain what he would do to continue lowering the number of migrants crossing illegally, despite that number hitting an all-time high during his tenure.”
- *The Migration News Brief is a selection of relevant news articles, all of which do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the Latin America Working Group.
P.S. Do you know of someone who might be interested in receiving the Migration News Brief? Tell them to email tdelmoral@lawg.org.