Published by The Texas Observer on June 30, 2020.
A look at the severe impact of COVID-19 on the Texas borderlands, especially on asylum seekers.
Between Borders
11 Reports in June 2020
Links to long-form information about U.S. border governance and migration
The Hidden Curve: Estimating the Spread of COVID-19 among People in ICE Detention
Published by the Vera Institute of Justice on June 30, 2020.
An epidemiological model of COVID-19 in ICE detention centers finds that “by day 60 of the simulation—corresponding to May 15, 2020—the estimated number of cumulative COVID-19 cases would be 15 times higher than the number of cases ICE reported.”
Unless the United States Deploys These 5 Regional Migration Strategies, COVID-19 Could Portend Another Humanitarian Crisis On Our Border
Published by WOLA on June 30, 2020.
Migration is likely to increase again at the border. But through inexpensive, low-drama strategies, the U.S. government can manage it in an orderly, humane way.
COVID-19 Border Closure Could Lead to Jump in Migrant Deaths in Summer Months
Published by WOLA on June 26, 2020.
May 2020 saw an increase in apprehensions of single adults, many of whom may seek to avoid apprehension by migrating through dangerous border sectors during the hot summer months.
Podcast: Beyond the Wall: A Roundtable Discussion on Border and Migration
Published by WOLA on June 18, 2020.
WOLA launches a new animated video, and a panel from WOLA discusses the mid-pandemic state of the border.
Beyond the Wall: Borders Should Not Be Barriers to Human Rights
Published by WOLA on June 15, 2020.
A quick review of the crisis that has been created at the border, and how to resolve it.
Decision: U.S. Customs and Border Protection—Obligations of Amounts Appropriated in the 2019 Emergency Supplemental
Published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on June 11, 2020.
GAO finds that CBP failed to spend emergency funds for detained migrants’ consumables, medical care, and humane processing as Congress intended, instead devoting the money to items like boats, dirt bikes, and office upgrades. (Link at gao.gov)
Dead Ends: No Path To Protection for Asylum Seekers Under the Guatemala Asylum Cooperative Agreement
Published by the Georgetown Law Human Rights Initiative on June 10, 2020.
Documents how the Guatemala “safe-third country” agreement is effectively denying Salvadorans and Hondurans a chance to seek asylum.
One Year After U.S.-Mexico Migration Deal, a Widespread Humanitarian Disaster
Published by WOLA on June 6, 2020.
In June 2019, under heavy U.S. pressure, Mexico deployed its new National Guard to stop migrants, while agreeing to a vastly expanded “Remain in Mexico” program. A year later, the result has been disastrous.
“Insecurity”: How the Trump Administration is Placing Border Wall Speed before the Law
Published by the Project on Government Oversight on June 5, 2020.
A look at the laws the Trump administration is waiving or violating in order to build as much border fence as possible before the president’s term ends.
Boletín Mensual de Estadísticas Migratorias 2019
Publicado por la Unidad de Política Migratoria, Secretaría de Gobernación en junio de 2020.
The Mexican government’s collection of 2019 statistics on migrant apprehensions, deportations, deportations from the United States, and other data. (Link at segob.gob.mx)