CHC Leadership to Mexican Ambassador Gutiérrez: What is Mexico’s Policy for the Treatment of Individuals in the Country Seeking Asylum in the United States?
Castro Leads Letter to Gutiérrez Inquiring About the Treatment of Asylum-Seekers in Mexico by Mexican Officials
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee, and First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led a CHC leadership letter to Mexican Ambassador Gerónimo Gutiérrez requesting more information about the treatment of asylum-seekers by Mexican officials.
The Members wrote: “As members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, we write to inquire about the treatment of individuals who intend on seeking asylum in the United States but currently reside in Mexico after being turned away by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Journalists have documented this practice along the southern border, including ports of entry near San Diego, California and along the Texas border.” Specifically, the Members sought details on Mexico’s current procedures and policies, including whether there have been any changes to those processes within the last six months.
The letter was also signed by: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01); Second Vice Chair Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07); Whip Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31); and Freshman Representative Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
Full text of the letter follows and can be found here.
August 6, 2018
The Honorable Gerónimo Gutiérrez
Mexican Ambassador
1911 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Ambassador Gutiérrez,
As members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, we write to inquire about the treatment of individuals who intend on seeking asylum in the United States but currently reside in Mexico after being turned away by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Journalists have documented this practice along the southern border, including ports of entry near San Diego, California and along the Texas border.
While asylum seekers wait to cross the border, they may encounter Mexican officials. For example, the Houston Chronicle recently wrote about a family from Honduras who, after being turned away by CBP, were detained by Mexican authorities for a week. To our knowledge, the family is still in Mexico deciding their next steps.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows that migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras comprised three of the top four countries granted affirmative asylum in 2016. Further, the number of affirmative asylum applications from these countries has increased 234% from 2014 to 2016. Given the continued strife in the Northern Triangle region, it follows that individuals traveling through Mexico to seek refuge in the U.S. will not slow. Therefore, we respectfully request answers to the following questions from your government:
- What is Mexico’s current policy for the treatment of individuals in the country seeking asylum in the U.S.?
- Does the process differ if the asylum seeker has been turned away by CBP?
- Does the process differ for non-Mexican asylum seekers?
- How long have these asylum policies been in place?
- Have these asylum policies changed within the last 6 months?
- Can you provide an update on the work being done at the National Institute of Migration, National System for Integral Family Development, and the Mexican Commission to Assist Refugees?
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01)
First Vice Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20)
Second Vice Chair Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07)
Whip Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31)
Freshman Representative Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)
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