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Mexico has announced they will begin providing transportation for migrants with US asylum appointments from southern Mexico to the US border.
What’s the deal: According to Mexico’s National Immigration Institute, they will offer bus rides from Villahermosa and Tapachula to the US border for migrants who have confirmed US asylum appointments. To qualify for government transportation, migrants must show proof of their scheduled appointment.
More on the appointments: The US government’s “CBP One” app is a mobile app that migrants use to schedule US asylum appointments. Initially available only in central and northern Mexico, it has recently expanded to southern Mexico. The app allows asylum seekers to secure an appointment at a US border crossing. The US says that doing this helps reduce the risk of unauthorized crossings. Despite this, migrants often face long waits and challenging conditions while awaiting their appointments.
Cartels taking advantage: In an exclusive interview, Karen Parker, who runs an NGO in a border town in Southern California, said this move will help reduce threats from criminal cartels that dominate migration routes. According to Parker, these cartels sometimes target migrants and extort them for money. Those without legal protection or proper documentation are especially vulnerable, often being abducted and held for ransom, with many forced to pay large sums to secure their release or continue their journey.
Digging deeper: Since its launch, the CBP One app has become a crucial tool for migrants seeking US asylum, with over 200,000 appointments scheduled by mid-2023. Migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and Honduras have been the primary users. While the app has played a vital role in organizing asylum requests, it has also exposed challenges, such as limited accessibility and the long wait times many migrants endure.
