On March 17, the New York Times reported that the Trump Administration would be sending back all asylum seekers and any other foreigners attempting to gain access to the U.S. illegally through Mexico. Citing a health risk to the Border Patrol agents, individuals in detention facilities, and being “one hundred percent focused on protecting the American people,” amid the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, the individuals would be immediately sent back by Border Patrol, violating their due process.
Following the news of the restrictions, President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the closure of the U.S.-Canada border, allowing only essential travel to continue. Unlike the agreement between Trump and Trudeau, commercial traffic along with American citizens, green card holders, and some foreigners with proper documentation would still be allowed to cross at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. More details regarding the restrictions are expected to be released soon.
In early March, the UNHCR released a Coronavirus emergency appeal and preparedness and response plan urging governments to include refugees and internally displaced people within their measures in combating COVID-19. UNHCR further stated that access to health services and facilities be non-discriminatory. Unfortunately, as the Trump Administration continues to allow non-essential travel at the southern border the move appears to be less about mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. Instead, it has provided the administration an opportunity to further restrict asylum.
Migrants living in makeshift camps and shelters already have little access to adequate food and medical services and have been extremely vulnerable to kidnappings, rape, and assault. As COVID-19 spreads, migrants and aid workers will have to brace for the impact it could have in an already dire situation. NGOs and nonprofits, such as Team Brownsville, who are offering service to migrants along the border have already begun working with the Mexican government to prepare for a possible COVID-19 outbreak.