August 17, 2023

On August 17, the Nogales-based Kino Border Initiative (KBI), recounted the case of a young migrant who was denied access to asylum and misled with false information. 

“This week, a young man, Jesus* [name changed to protect privacy] fleeing organized crime in Southern Mexico arrived at KBI after paying thousands of dollars to a coyote in an attempt to seek asylum. “The coyotes say you turn yourself into Border Patrol and you get asylum, but it’s not true,” he said. BP agents told him, “there is no asylum for Mexicans,” and told him he could either be deported or sign his voluntary return.”

Kino Border Initiative. 2022. “Congressional Year End Report 2023.” Https://Www.Kinoborderinitiative.Org/Annual-Report/. Kino Border Initiative. https://www.kinoborderinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Congressional-Year-End-Report-2023_.pdf

Sector(s): Border Patrol

Agency(ies): Border Patrol

Event Type(s): Compelling Signature of English-Language Documents, Denial of Access to Asylum, Denial of Protection to Most Vulnerable, Lying or Deliberate Misleading

Accountability Status: Unknown

Victim Classification: Mexico