Presents a troubling picture of the conditions faced by migrants, including children and families, detained between the primary and secondary barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Tag: Processing
Shifting Realities at the U.S.-Mexico Border: Immigration Enforcement and Control in a Fast-Evolving Landscape
Published by the Migration Policy Institute on January 11, 2024.
Analyzes post-Title 42 border policy changes and recommends changes to adjust to rapidly altered migration realities.
Migration Can’t and Shouldn’t Be Blocked. But it Can be Managed.
Published by WOLA on October 12, 2023.
A statement recalling and highlighting some of the basic principles underlying WOLA’s border and migration work.
Southwest Border: Challenges and Efforts Implementing New Processes for Noncitizen Families
Published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on October 17, 2022.
Examines Border Patrol’s rapid releases of asylum seekers without initiating immigration proceedings. 75 percent of those released did report to ICE offices. (Original link)
Operational Challenges Within ORR and the ORR Emergency Intake Site at Fort Bliss Hindered Case Management for Children
Finds that operational challenges within the Office of Refugee Resettlement “hindered case management” at an emergency site at Fort Bliss, Texas in 2021, “which may have adversely affected unaccompanied children’s safety and well-being.” (Original link)
U.S. Border Patrol Screened Migrants at the Southwest Border but Could Strengthen Processes
Published by the DHS Office of Inspector-General on September 19, 2022.
“We found that Border Patrol did not issue A-numbers for 107 of 384 migrants, most of whom were paroled into the country or issued Notices to Report.” (Original link)
DHS Plan for Southwest Border Security and Preparedness
Published by the Department of Homeland Security on April 26, 2022.
DHS publishes a six-pillar plan for managing a likely post-Title 42 increase in migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. (Link at dhs.gov)
Is the border ready for the lifting of Title 42, the health policy that turns away asylum seekers?
Published by the Dallas Morning News on April 22, 2022.
Examines whether the Department of Homeland Security will be ready to process an increased arrival of asylum-seeking migrants after the likely lifting of the Title 42 pandemic expulsion policy.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol Struggled to Meet TEDS Standards for Single Adult Men but Generally Met TEDS Standards for Other Populations
Published by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector-General on April 14, 2022.
Unannounced September 2021 visits to three facilities in Yuma found Border Patrol generally meeting national standards on transport, escort, detention, and search for all populations except single adult men, who were held in crowded conditions and high temperatures. (Link at oig.dhs.gov)
Effective processing of asylum applications: Practical considerations and practices
Published by UNHCR in March 2022.
A set of best practices for states to adopt to meet the challenge of processing asylum-seeking migrants upon arrival. (Link at refworld.org)
Southwest Border Strategic Concept of Operations (CONOP)
An overview of DHS planning for a likely increase in migration at the U.S.-Mexico border after the lifting of the Title 42 pandemic order. (Link at int.nyt.com)
CBP Border Patrol Stations and Ports of Entry in Southern California Generally Met TEDS Standards
Published by the DHS Office of Inspector-General on February 7, 2022.
A report on August 2021 inspections of CBP and Border Patrol facilities in the San Diego sector. (Link at oig.dhs.gov)
Rio Grande Valley Area Border Patrol Struggles with High Volumes of Detainees and Cases of Prolonged Detention but Has Taken Consistent Measures to Improve Conditions in Facilities
Published by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector-General on January 27, 2022.
A report on a July 2021 visit to holding facilities of Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley sector in South Texas. (link at oig.dhs.gov)
Putting the U.S.-Mexico ‘Border Crisis’ Narrative into Context
Published by WOLA on March 17, 2021.
Amid increasing arrivals of migrants at the border, an explanation of trends and recommendations for next steps.
To Reverse Trump’s Disastrous Legacy in Latin America, Here Are Key Actions the Biden Administration Should Take in its First Year
Published by WOLA on January 22, 2021.
This compendium of recommendations includes an extensive “migration and border policy” section.
How Biden Can Overcome Obstacles to Reversing Trump’s Disastrous Migration Policies
Published by WOLA on December 9, 2020.
Even if a “wave” of migration happens in early 2021, the new Biden administration can handle it with minimal drama while phasing out the Trump administration’s harsh anti-asylum policies.
CBP Did Not Adequately Oversee FY 2019 Appropriated Humanitarian Funding
Published by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector-General on September 28, 2020.
Looks at how CBP misspent much of $192 million that Congress had appropriated to attend to the humanitarian needs of migrants in custody. (Link at oig.dhs.gov)
7 Humane, Effective Border and Migration Measures in the House’s 2021 Homeland Security Appropriation
Published by the Washington Office on Latin America on July 27, 2020.
An overview of key measures in the House of Representatives’ version of the 2021 DHS appropriation, including cutting border wall spending, defunding “Remain in Mexico,” reducing ICE detention, and others.
Southwest Border: CBP Needs to Increase Oversight of Funds, Medical Care, and Reporting of Deaths
Published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on July 15, 2020.
Finds serious fault with CBP’s handling of the health of children in custody and its use of funds designated by Congress for humanitarian purposes. (Link at gao.gov)
Report on the 2021 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Published by the House Appropriations Committee on July 14, 2020.
The House appropriators’ narrative report accompanying the 2021 bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. (Link at appropriations.house.gov)
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.
Re: Separation of Families via CBP Detention and Processing, and the Agency’s Refusal to Implement a Detainee Locator System
Published by ACLU San Diego and Imperial Counties and ACLU Border Rights on April 15, 2020.
A complaint from the ACLU Foundation of San Diego and Imperial Counties and ACLU Border Rights Center reports on CBP’s failure to implement a detainee locator system, which complicates efforts to reunify separated families.
Metering & COVID-19
The latest in a series of reports documenting the status of asylum seekers forced by metering to wait in Mexico for a chance to approach U.S. border ports of entry.
Southwest Border: Actions Needed to Improve DHS Processing of Families and Coordination between DHS and HHS
Published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on March 18, 2020.
GAO “found that separations from June 2018 through March 2019 weren’t accurately tracked—and agents inconsistently recorded details.” (link at gao.gov)
Southwest Border: Actions Needed to Address Fragmentation in DHS’s Processes for Apprehended Family Members
Published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on March 18, 2020.
GAO finds that when DHS components fail to share information with each other on apprehended migrant families, the Department “risks removing individuals from the country who may be eligible for relief or protection based on their family relationships.” (link at gao.gov)