Open letter measures in México facing Trump’s appointment

Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
Constitutional President of the United Mexican States
Dr. Juan Ramón de la Fuente
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Ms. Rosa Icela Rodríguez
Secretary of the Interior

Please receive our warmest regards. The civil society organizations and human rights defenders who subscribe to this letter are addressing you regarding the implications arising from the arrival of President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. Following his statements during the electoral campaign and in this transition phase, we express our concern about the possible measures that could hinder the right to request and receive asylum, increase the detention of people with irregular immigration status, increase deportations, reduce migration pathways and delete residence permits and temporary status programs in the United States. Said measures could generate an extremely harmful scenario both for people on the move in Mexico and for those of Mexican descent in the United States if concrete actions are not implemented in the short and medium term.

Therefore, we urge the Mexican government to uphold the dignity and human rights of these populations by carrying out the following concrete actions:

In the face of a scenario of mass deportation, an increase in immigration control operations and the elimination of immigration policies such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and Humanitarian Parole.

1. Strengthen and to expand consular protection to the population of Mexican descent in the United States, especially in legal representation programs. We also demand that Mexican diplomacy encourage the United States administration to create humanitarian routes for the people protected by programs such as DACA, which could disappear with Donald Trump’s appointment. Likewise, the 53 Mexican consulates in the United States must implement information campaigns and eliminate obstacles to issue official Mexican documents.
2. Design and implement a binational safe and dignified return policy. Approximately 5.1 million people born in Mexico are living in an irregular situation in the United States and are at risk of deportation with Donald Trump’s appointment. Given this situation, it is essential for the Mexican government to go beyond repatriation at border entry points and airports. It is essential to guarantee transparency in the assistance pathways for deported and returned people, and to collaborate with civil society in their accompaniment and provision of services. Policies for post-deportation and post-return reintegration processes should, at a minimum, include access to housing, health, education, employment, financial inclusion and address gender-based violence. In addition, it is crucial to eliminate the administrative and bureaucratic obstacles that hinder access to legal identity, validation of studies and professional competencies. All the above-mentioned also requires raising awareness among the local population about the rights and contributions of returned and deported individuals, promoting peaceful coexistence and reintegration.

In the face of a possible increase in family separation

3. Guarantee compliance with the General Law on the Rights of Children and Adolescents, the Migration Law and the Law on Refugees, Complementary Protection and Political Asylum, especially regarding the right to family unity of migrant children and adolescents. Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy could eliminate protections and lead to family separations, as happened in his last administration where more than 5,000 children and adolescents were separated, and more than 1,400 have not yet been reunited. We demand to safeguard the best interests of children and adolescents and guarantee the correct implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Mexico and the United States for cooperation in the protection of unaccompanied children and adolescents. In addition, we urge the Mexican consulates to effectively apply the Protocol for consular care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents and for the Mexican authorities to act in accordance with the evaluation Protocol for identifying international protection needs of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents.

In the face of the establishment of new bilateral agreements

4. Reject any bilateral agreement that violates international refugee law and human rights. During Donald Trump’s first administration, Mexico rejected an agreement on “safe third country”, but it accepted policies that violate the right to request and receive asylum, such as metering, “Migrant Protection Protocol” (MPP), and Title 42. In recent years, various executive orders and regulations, such as “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways” and “Securing the Border” have continued to do the same. We highlight the case of the MPP which forced asylum seekers in the United States to wait, in unsafe areas of Mexico and without access to fundamental rights, for the resolution of their cases in United States immigration courts. Between 2019 and 2021, more than 71,000 people were returned to Mexico, many of them in vulnerable situations. Civil society recorded at least 1,500 cases of violence against returned people under the MPP. It is likely that the new administration will seek similar or even more restrictive agreements, which endanger the safety and rights of people on the move. Any immigration agreement with the United States must establish clear responsibilities, without circumventing or externalizing international legal obligations. The Mexican government should reject agreements forcing people to return or wait for their immigration procedures in the United States in Mexican territory. Additionally, it must make all immigration agreements with the United States, both formal and informal, publicly available.
5. Avoid collaborating with the new U.S administration in the implementation of unlawful removals or expulsions to border areas. During Donald Trump’s first administration and the government of President Joe Biden, a provision called Title 42 allowed the rapid expulsion of people on the move without due process, even if they needed international protection. More than 2 million removals were registered in three years, 90% to Mexico. The Mexican government gave sponsorship for these removals by agreeing to return people from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti and Cuba; between 2021 and 2022, more than 13,480 cases of aggression and violence against people expelled under Title 42. Many of them did not have access to immigration status documentation or fundamental rights. We call for the denial of new expulsions under these terms, as well as to refuse fast track deportation of nationals from third countries to Mexico.

In the face of a possible cancellation of CBP One, a mobile app that grants appointments to report to authorized ports of entry to the United States.

6. Urge the U.S government to respect and promote the right to request and receive asylum. In line with the principle of Mexican foreign policy, enshrined in Article 89, Section X of the Constitution, regarding the protection and promotion of human rights, we request that the Mexican government guarantee dignified treatment for people on the move who arrive at U.S. ports of entry seeking protection. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to eliminate the CBP One appointment system, through which many individuals already have an established pathway, which starts in some parts of Mexican territory, to begin asylum applications. The Mexican government must push to ensure there is no regression and that mechanisms are established to ensure that asylum requests initiated at U.S. ports of entry are processed, even if CBP One is eliminated.
7. Negotiate with the U.S government a gradual and transparent process so that people registered with CBP One, with pending appointment assignment or with a scheduled appointment can present themselves without obstacles at U.S entry points. The possible elimination of CBP One appointment system would generate uncertainty for thousands of people in Mexico. Every month, around 45,000 people use this app to enter the country and request asylum, so that a sudden cancellation would leave them without access to the protection they might need. That is why it is urgent that the Mexican government requests its U.S counterparts to implement an orderly and clear route should the system be cancelled, guaranteeing that registered people, for those waiting for an appointment or with a scheduled appointment, can present at the ports of entry without delay and with option to request asylum in that country.
8. Respect the right to freedom of movement of people in Mexico seeking international protection in the United States. Despite the possible cancellation of the CBP One system, foreign and Mexican people have the right to present themselves at ports of entry to request asylum in the United States. We urge you to issue a press release or executive order prohibiting the “housing” in immigration detention centers, and “humanitarian rescue” of this population for purposes of immigration control or “assisted return” of people who want to present themselves at the U.S ports of entry. This press release or order should be disseminated with clear instructions to all National Institute of Migration (INM) and National Guard officials to ensure that people, particularly vulnerable individuals, can transit to present themselves to United States immigration officials without restrictions or intimidation.
9. Issue immigration documentation according to Article 52 of the Migration Law. We demand that INM issue migration documentation to those who would be waiting for a route to present themselves at ports of entry after the possible cancellation of CBP One under the timeline and procedures established by the current legal framework. We are concerned that since December 2022, the INM stopped issuing the Multiple Migration Form to people in transit and that, since October 2023, it has denied documentation to asylum seekers and refugees despite it being their right. We request that INM refrain from arbitrarily restricting individuals’ possibilities to receive immigration documentation, as this allows people on the move in our country to have access to rights such as healthcare, education, work, etc.
10. Allow people on the move who will no longer be able to register on the CBP One app and who decide to request asylum in Mexico to initiate the procedure outside the 30 working days period established by the Law. Given the increase in the number of asylum seekers and the operational incapacity of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) to properly process these applications, rejection of “extemporaneous applications” has been a common practice that allows authorities to avoid carrying out an individualized analysis of each case. The established deadline for accessing protection as a refugee prevents the full exercise of the right to request and receive asylum. Therefore, said deadline should be waived for this group of applicants due to the emergency situation.
11. Strengthen access to justice mechanisms and to reduce impunity. The possible cancellation of CBP One could leave many people stranded in Mexico, further exposing them to serious crimes such as kidnappings, extortions, robberies, torture, disappearances and human rights violations. It is urgent to implement a policy of prosecution and punishment of these crimes, committed by individuals, organized crime or government officials. We demand to facilitate crime reporting, especially at the borders, guaranteeing diligent investigations by autonomous prosecutor’s offices and to strengthen the Mexican Foreign Support Mechanism for Research and Investigation (MAEBI) through embassies and consulates.

Actions for a domestic policy consistent with a “humanitarian model of mobility”

12. Strengthen the asylum system. It is urgent to increase the operational capacity of COMAR so that it can adequately handle asylum applications, especially for those who will have no alternatives to report themselves at U.S ports of entry. The 10% cut to the COMAR budget in the 2025 Federal Expenditure Project is of concern. Proper staffing, funding and technical autonomy will be more important than ever if more people are turned away to Mexico.
13. Refrain from implementing migration policies based on security, deterrence and militarization approaches. In order to contain people on the move under pressure from the United States, the Mexican government has adopted restrictive measures such as the deployment of armed forces on the southern border, increased checkpoints and immigration inspections and bus transfers to the south to inhibit people from presenting themselves at the U.S ports of entry. All the above-mentioned affect the safe travel options of many people on the move, violating their human rights. Also of concern is the reform that integrates the National Guard into the Secretariat of National Defense, expanding its powers of immigration control. It is urgent to guarantee a protection approach through proper training and jurisdictional reviews of civil immigration authorities.
14. Design a comprehensive migration and asylum policy focused on long-lasting integration in collaboration with civil society. Given the current challenges with the neighboring country, it is crucial that this administration promptly publishes its strategic approach to migration and asylum, which should prioritize hospitality, expansion of regular migration routes and access to rights such as housing, legal identity, education, health, work, etc. allowing a dignified development for people who transit, reside or return to Mexico. This policy should include a rigorous diagnosis of the differentiated needs of migratory flows, considering intersectionality, the best interests of children, gender, sexual diversity and anti-racism, as well as ensuring sufficient material, both human and financial resources for its implementation. Moreover, proposals promoted by organizations that are on the front line of attention must be taken into account. For instance, the initiative “11 priorities for a new migration and asylum policy”.

Your attention to these considerations is deeply appreciated. We hope to hold a face-to-face meeting soon in order to develop joint strategies facing this upcoming situation.

Best regards,

Networks and civil society organizations:

1. Al Otro Lado
2. Alianza Americas
3. Alliance San Diego
4. Alma Migrante, A.C.
5. Amnistía Internacional
6. Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos, A.C.
7. Asociación de Abogados Mayas de Guatemala
8. Asociación de Desarrollo Social de Ixcán
9. Asociación Hispano Ecuatoriana Rumiñahui
10. Asylum Access México
11. Bloque Latinoamericano sobre Migración: Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS), Comisión Argentina para los Refugiados y Migrantes (CAREF), Red Nacional de Líderes Migrantes en Argentina, Cáritas Brasileira, Centro de Direitos Humanos e Cidadania do Imigrante – CDHIC – Brasil, Instituto Migrações e Direitos Humanos, Clínica Jurídica de Migrantes y Refugiados de la Universidad Diego Portales- Chile,Fundación de Ayuda Social de las Iglesias Cristianas (FASIC), Secretariado Nacional de Pastoral Social- Caritas Colombia, Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados Ecuador (SJR-Ecuador), Asociación Comité de Familiares de Migrantes Fallecidos y Desaparecidos de El Salvador (COFAMIDE) – El Salvador, Cristosal, Advancing Human Rights in Central America – El Salvador, Asociación RUMIÑAHUI. Red de Ecuatorianos en Europa, Centro de Atención y Desarrollo Integral Migrante (CADIM), Federación Zacatecana de Migrantes, Latinas en el Poder, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR), South Texas Human Rights Center (El Centro de Derechos Humanos Del Sur de Texas), Coalición de Derechos Humanos, Tucson, Arizona, Asociación Coordinadora Comunitaria de Servicios para la Salud (ACCSS), Asociación de Familiares de Migrantes Desaparecidos de Guatemala (AFAMIDEG), Asociación Pop No’j – Guatemala, Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial (ECAP), Grupo Articulador de la Sociedad Civil en Materia Migratoria para Guatemala, Mesa de Coordinación Transfronteriza Migraciones y Género (MTMG), Action Secours Ambulance (ASA), Asociación Hermanas Scalabrinianas/Pastoral de Movilidad Humana, Plateforme des Organisations Nationales et Territoriales de la Societe Civile Haitienne (PONT-SCH) – Haití, Comisión de Acción Social Menonita (CASM)- Honduras, Comité de Familiares de Migrantes Desaparecidos del Centro de Honduras (COFAMICENH)-Honduras, Comité de Familiares de Migrantes Desaparecidos del Progreso (COFAMIPRO)- Honduras, Foro Nacional para las Migraciones en Honduras (FONAMIH)- Honduras, Organismo Cristiano de Desarrollo Integral de Honduras (OCDIH)- Honduras, Asylum Access México. (AAMX) – México, Casa del Migrante de Saltillo (CDMS)- México, Casa Monarca Ayuda Humanitaria al Migrante- México, Centro de Atención a la Familia Migrante Indígena (CAFAMI)- México, Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña-Tlachinollan (CDHM)- México, Estancia del Migrante González y Martínez- México, FM4 Paso Libre-México, Formación y Capacitación (FOCA)-México, Iniciativa Ciudadana para la Promoción de la Cultura del Diálogo (ICPCD)- México, Iniciativa Kino A. C, Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migración (IMUMI)- México, Proyecto de Derechos Humanos, Económicos, Sociales y Culturales A.C (Prodesc)-México, Red Pedro Pantoja Zona Norte- México, Red de Documentación de las Organizaciones Defensoras de Migrantes (REDODEM)- México, Red de Mujeres del Bajío AC-México, Unión Nacional de Organizaciones Regionales Campesinas Autónomas. A.C. (UNORCA A.C.), Red Nacional de Jornaleros y Jornaleras Agrícolas, Servicio Ecuménico para la Dignidad Humana (SEDHU), CTA de Trabajadores, Fundación para la Justicia y el Estado Democrático de Derecho (FJEDD), Red de las Américas sobre Nacionalidad y Apatridia (Red ANA), Red Mesoamericana Mujer Salud y Migración (RMMSYM)- México y Centroamérica, Living Water Community, Red Jesuita con Migrantes Latinoamérica y el Caribe (RJM LAC)- Regional, Red Sudamericana para las Migraciones Ambientales (RESAMA)- Regional, International Detention Coalition (IDC)- Regional/Global, Red Internacional de Migración y Desarrollo (RIMD).
12. Borderlands Resource Initiative
13. Casa de migrantes San Juan Diego y San Francisco de asís a. C.
14. Casa del Migrante en Juárez AC
15. Casa del Migrante en Tijuana A.C.
16. Casa Monarca. Ayuda Humanitaria al Migrante, A.B.P.
17. Casa Nicolás-Solidaridad en el éxodo, A.C.
18. Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas (CEDA)
19. Center for Gender & Refugee Studies
20. Centro de Acompañamiento a Migrantes AC (CAMINOS)
21. Centro de Atención a la Familia Migrante Indígena AC (CAFAMI)
22. Centro de Atención al Migrante Exodus
23. Centro de Estudios y Apoyo al Desarrollo Local (CEADEL)
24. Centro para Migrantes Jesús Torres 24/7
25. Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional
26. CHIRLA México
27. Coalición de Derechos Humanos
28. Comunidad en Retorno
29. Derechos Humanos Integrales en Acción (DHIA)
30. El Rebozo – Cuidado de la vida y los territorios, A.C.
31. Espacio Migrante A.C.
32. Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
33. Food Justice DMV
34. Fórum Internacional Fronteiras Cruzadas (Universidade de São Paulo)
35. Frente Indígena de Organizaciones Binacionales (FIOB)
36. Fundación Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual A.C.
37. Fundación para la Justicia y el Estado Democrático de Derecho (FJEDD)
38. Fundación Promigrante AmericasinMuros.org
39. Grupo Articulador México
40. Grupo de Acción por la No Detención de Personas Refugiadas
41. Grupo de Identidad y Educación (GIE): Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos, Centro de Atención a Familia Migrante Indígena (CAFAMI), Comunidad en Retorno, DREAMers Moms Tijuana, Espacio Migrante, Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migración (IMUMI), Otros Dreams en Acción (ODA), Programa de Asuntos Migratorio (ITESO), Seminario de Niñez Migrante del Colegio de Sonora, Sin Fronteras I.A.P y Uno de Siete Migrando, AC.
42. Grupo de Trabajo Sobre Política Migratoria-GTPM: Aldeas Infantiles SOS México, I.A.P.; Alianza Américas; American Friends Services Committee; Apoyo a Migrantes Venezolanos, A.C.; Asylum Access México (AAMX) A.C.; Casa del Migrante Saltillo (Frontera con Justicia A.C.); Centro de Atención a la Familia Migrante Indígena, CAFAMI; Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Matías de Córdova, A.C.; Coalición Pro Defensa del Migrante de Baja California; Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos; Fundación Appleseed México, A.C.; DHIA. Derechos Humanos Integrales en Acción, A.C.; IMUMI Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migración; Iniciativa Ciudadana para la Promoción de la Cultura del Diálogo, A.C.; INSYDE Instituto para la Seguridad y la Democracia; M3 Movimiento Migrante Mesoamericano; Paso de Esperanza A.C.; REDIM Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en México; Save the Children México, Sin Fronteras, IAP; Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados; SMR Scalabrinianas: Misión con Migrantes y Refugiados; Leticia Calderón, Analista en temas migratorios; Brenda Valdés; Manuel Ángel Castillo, Investigador; Gloria Ciria Valdéz Gardea, fundadora y coordinadora del Seminario Niñez Migrante; IDC International Detention Coalition (Observadoras). Melissa Vertiz Hernández, Secretaria Técnica.
43. Hope Border Institute – Instituto Fronterizo Esperanza
44. Human Rights First
45. Immigrant Defenders Law Center
46. Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migración, AC (IMUMI)
47. Interfaith Welcome Coalition, San Antonio Texas
48. Las Américas Centro de Apoyo al Migrante A.C/ Las Américas Immigrant Advocacy Center,
49. Latin America Working Group (LAWG)
50. Miami Valley Immigration Coalition
51. Migrantologos
52. Movilidades Libres y Elegidas-CoLibres
53. National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice
54. North American Indigenous Center of New York
55. Oficina en Washington para Asuntos Latinoamericanos (WOLA)
56. Oficina Jurídica Héctor Waldemar Barrera Palma
57. Oficina legal Gómez Melara
58. Oficinas Chay, María Cristina Chay Medrano
59. Pastoral de Migrantes de Chinameca Veracruz
60. Pastoral de Movilidad Humana Diócesis de Zamora
61. Programa de Asuntos Migratorios de la Ibero Torreón
62. Programa Universitario en Migraciones, IBERO Puebla
63. Promotoras de Derechos en la Migración
64. Red de Documentación de las Organizaciones Defensoras de Migrantes (REDODEM, A.C.) Organizaciones socias: Albergue Casa Tochan, Albergue Decanal Guadalupano, Albergue La Sagrada Familia A.C., Albergue para Migrantes Jesús Torres, Albergue Migrantes Toribio Romo A.C., Casa de Acogida, Formación y Empoderamiento para Mujeres y Familias Migrantes y Refugiadas (CAFEMIN), Casa del Caminante Jtatic Samuel Ruiz, Casa de la Caridad Cristiana Hogar del Migrante, Centro de Derechos Humanos Juan Gerardi, A.C., Centro Marista de Apoyo al Migrante (CAMMI), Casanicolás, Casa del Migrante El Samaritano, Casa del Migrante San Carlos Borromeo, Centro Comunitario Interdenominacional de Acompañamiento a Personas Migrantes CCIAPM ABBA A.C, Casa del Migrante Monseñor Guillermo Ranzahuer González, Casa del Peregrino Migrante, Centro de Orientación del Migrante de Oaxaca (COMI, A.C.), Dignidad y Justicia en el Camino A.C. FM4, Paso Libre, El Refugio Casa del Migrante, Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados (JRS) México, Oasis Providencial A. C, Programa Casa Refugiados A.C, Uno de Siete Migrando A.C.
65. Red de Mujeres del Bajío AC
66. Red Franciscana para Migrantes, México (RFM-México)
67. Red Nacional de apoyo a personas migrantes y refugiadas LGBT México
68. Red Nacional de Organismos Civiles de Derechos Humanos “Todos los Derechos para Todas, Todos y Todes” (Red TDT)
69. Red Sudamericana para las Migraciones Ambientales (RESAMA)
70. Refugees International
71. Salvavision.org
72. Seminario Universitario de Estudios sobre Desplazamiento Interno, Migración, Exilio y Repatriación
73. Servicios Educativos del Bajío A.C. (SEBAJ)
74. Sin Fronteras IAP
75. Social Workers for Immigration Justice
76. Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC)
77. Transformemos desde la Raíz AC
78. Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
79. Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
80. Universidad de Guadalajara
81. Uno de Siete Migrando A.C.
82. Witness at the Border (Testigos en la Frontera); National Lawyers Guild; Tribunal Internacional de Conciencia de los Pueblos en Movimiento

Individuals

1. Bernardo Mendez Lugo
2. Blanca Navarrete
3. Camilo Pérez-Bustillo, profesor, St, Mary’s College of California/Ethnic Studies Dept.
4. Carlos Heredia Zubieta
5. Dora Isabel Melara
6. Félix Basurto Sandoval
7. Fernando Escobedo Luna casa refugio san juan
8. Horacio Caramillo Cruz
9. Iakowi:he’ne’ Oakes
10. Irma Gloria Murrieta Murrieta
11. Ivanna Herrán Ballesteros
12. José Dilber Gómez
13. Karina Franco
14. Kenny González Recinos
15. Laura Gómez Toledo
16. Leticia Calderón
17. Liliana Escobar
18. Luis Eduardo Zavala de Alba
19. Luis Enrique Alejandro Denis
20. Luis Rodolfo Morán Quiroz, profesor universitario
21. Manuel Ángel Castillo
22. Marcela Vanegas Díaz
23. Marco Vinicio López Maldonado
24. Merwyn De Mello
25. Nancy Maribel García García
26. Nora Pfeiffer
27. Patricia H. Warman
28. Rebeca Sánchez Ralda
29. Sharon Altendorf, PBVM
30. Sister Louise Lears
31. Sister Marie Lucey OSF
32. Tomás Milton Muñoz Bravo
33. William Villarreal Pérez
34. Yadira Aguirre López