REPORT 08.14.20 Immobile and Vulnerable: Migrants at Mexico’s Southern Border at the Outset of Covid-19

Luis Alfredo Arriola Vega, Ph.D., Researcher, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur–Campeche Enrique Coraza de los Santos, Ph.D., Researcher, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur–Tapachula

of the pandemic on human mobility; it can INTRODUCTION also help us understand the response in the Covid-19 is changing the dynamics of human migrants’ countries of origin, and the Mexican mobility.1 Indeed, all over the world human government’s response to the migrants’ mobility has been disrupted. One such presence and predicament. The paper disruption is related to the arrival in Mexico concludes with policy recommendations on of unauthorized migrants, asylum seekers, ways the governments of the United States, and others (e.g., deportees from the U.S. Mexico, and Central American countries can to Mexico) who find themselves stranded address the plight of stranded migrants, who along their journey. Migrants from various have fewer and fewer places to turn for help. As a case study, nations heading to the U.S. through Mexican Tapachula shows territory2 are facing increased difficulties in all the effects of COVID-19: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, reaching their destination, whether they are BORDER CLOSURES, AND the pandemic on trying to make it across the border, to get human mobility; back home, or to seek regularized migration DEPORTATIONS status in their current location. Migrants who it can also help us As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, recently arrived in Mexico are experiencing travelers and migrants around the world understand the increased deprivation, including food found themselves stranded and unable to response in the scarcity, homelessness, poor sanitation, and complete their journeys. This happened migrants’ countries disease, and they are unable to find work because almost as soon as the viral because of the economic collapse caused by of origin, and the outbreak set off alarms around the world, the pandemic. Mexican government’s many governments announced border In a fluid context where circumstances closures, imposed travel restrictions, response to the change daily, this paper examines the grim banned arrivals from some countries or all migrants’ presence conditions faced by irregular migrants foreign nationals, and increased screening stranded in Mexico due to the Covid-19 and predicament. for anyone entering or exiting. pandemic, with attention to the area around the city of Tapachula, Chiapas, 55 miles The United States north of the Mexico-Guatemala border.3 Tapachula is a good case study for the plight Starting in March 2020, the U.S. government of stranded transmigrants, as it is often introduced changes to its immigration and the first stop for many who journey north asylum policies, announcing that it would through Central America and Mexico toward “expeditiously return aliens who cross the U.S., or south on their return home. As a between ports of entry or are otherwise not case study, Tapachula shows all the effects allowed to enter the country, as the facilities BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 08.14.20

in which these aliens would normally be The Trump administration’s coronavirus- held cannot support quarantine for the related migration restrictions—among the time needed to assess potential cases.”4 most stringent ever implemented—deny Furthermore, under the assumption that an equitable, just, and humane approach migrants, in particular new arrivals at the to immigration and, as a result, endanger U.S.-Mexico border, posed a health risk the well-being and safety of vulnerable to the country, immigration authorities populations, including unaccompanied imposed stricter provisions for entry into children. Delays in court hearings for asylum the U.S.5 These policies, guided by the seekers waiting in Mexico under the Migrant Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Protection Protocols (MPP) grew.12 These directive issued on March 20, 2020, under U.S. protocols, which went into effect without The Trump the authority of an obscure provision Mexico’s approval in January 2019, require administration’s of the 1944 Public Health Service Act, asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while coronavirus-related authorized the surgeon general to suspend they await an asylum hearing in the migration restrictions the “introduction of persons or property” United States. into the U.S. on public health grounds.6 deny an equitable, just, The order also raised concerns about the Guatemala and humane approach presence of Covid-19 at asylum camps and On March 20, 2020, Mexico’s government to immigration and, shelters along the border, and questioned agreed to receive Central Americans as a result, endanger Mexico’s slow response (travel restrictions, deported from the U.S. and to send them the well-being and public health measures) to the threat of the south through Mexico. However, this disease.7 By May 2020, the U.S. had banned safety of vulnerable raised issues at the Guatemala border: nonessential travel through the country’s Mexico bussed the migrants to Tabasco 8 populations, including land borders with Mexico and Canada. and Chiapas, but Guatemala had closed unaccompanied Not everyone agreed with this approach. its border. The migrants were barred children. Some public health experts responded by from moving through and were stranded urging the secretary of U.S. Department in various cities in southern Mexico. of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, Guatemala’s government went as far as and the director of the Centers for Disease blocking flights carrying deportees from the Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert R. U.S. “as a precautionary measure.”13 Redfield, to “withdraw—not extend or expand indefinitely—this policy and instead Mexico direct U.S. officials to use rational, evidence- based public health measures to safeguard In spite of Mexico’s policy of open borders, it both the health of the public and the lives of made no difference to migrants facing closed adults, families, and unaccompanied children borders in the U.S. and Guatemala. They seeking asylum and other protection.”9 still could not move either way. Moreover, The Trump administration, however, although Mexican and U.S. policies appeared moved ahead with restrictions on at odds on the issue of transmigrants, in cross-border mobility; paradoxically, it practice the differences were only minor. simultaneously pushed to reopen the For example, in April 2020, a judge in Mexico country’s economy. The administration ruled in favor of protections for migrants, continued using the pandemic to deny including health care for detainees, and migrants access to courts and to expedite mandated residence permits for those the deportation of migrants, including especially vulnerable to the disease—such unaccompanied children. Deportations thus as migrants over the age of 60 and those continued, with nearly 21,000 expulsions with a disability, chronic illness, or conditions carried out in March and April 2020 alone.10 that place them at higher risk of contracting 14 Meanwhile, asylum seekers were left waiting Covid-19. Instead of complying with the indefinitely at camps and shelters along the judge’s order, Mexico simply freed most border for an immigration court hearing, unauthorized migrants in detention, leaving becoming more vulnerable to the virus in them unprotected and on their own. Thus, the crowded and squalid living conditions.11 Mexico’s official discourse is less harsh than 2 IMMOBILE AND VULNERABLE: MIGRANTS AT MEXICO’S SOUTHERN BORDER AT THE OUTSET OF COVID-19

that of the U.S., but its policies are effectively that it would temporarily halt the in line with the U.S. government. processing of asylum requests to stop Interestingly, although Mexico’s federal the spread of the coronavirus.22 Migrants government chose not to close its borders, with pending hearings at INM also faced some communities did implement local difficulties, with multiple reports of the INM lockdown measures. Fearing the possibility turning people away without a hearing. of infection from the outside, these For example, a Cuban woman said that communities put up checkpoints preventing on April 14 she approached INM’s office the entry of unauthorized migrants. By early and noticed that people who showed up April 2020, a border resident reported to without an appointment were being turned authorities that a new clandestine border away instead of being given a future notice crossing on the Suchiate River, between to appear. She also complained about lack Guatemala and Mexico, had opened; the of information by INM’s staff. This woman, nearby port of entry at Tecun Umán- who had spent five months in Mexico Ciudad Hidalgo and previously established waiting for resolution on case, said she had unauthorized crossing points had been not received updates on her claim and did blocked off by locals.15 Foreseeably, not know what caused the delay.23 Like smugglers simply changed their routes as many others, her life was upended partly part of the shifting dynamics of migration in due to a sluggish bureaucracy, and was the context of the pandemic.16 made worse by the government stalemate Another issue stemming from the caused by the pandemic. Covid-19 emergency came from riots In sum, Mexico’s “open” border was involving unauthorized migrants held in effectively cancelled out by the United Mexico’s migration detention centers. States’ and Guatemala’s closed borders. Migrants argued that crowded and Migrants were stuck and unable to move unsanitary conditions in detention facilities north or south. They were also unable to put them at greater risk of contagion, and pursue their cases for legalized status, even demanded immediate release.17 Protests as a UNHCR representative interviewed for were reported in places such as Tenosique, this brief said that closing borders should Tabasco, where one man died due to a not mean denying or limiting the right of fire in the facility, and Tapachula, where petitioners to file for protection.24 This Mexico’s “open” internees demanded to be released.18 comment is in line with the plea made by border was effectively Finally, due to pressure from the National the United Nations for continued assistance cancelled out by the Commission of Human Rights (CNDH), to migrants and asylum seekers around the United States’ and 25 the United Nations High Commissioner world despite the pandemic. Guatemala’s closed for Human Rights (UNHCR), and other organizations to free and send migrants The Rest of Northern Central America borders. Migrants were to their home countries, the government The pandemic also prompted other Central stuck and unable to 19 complied. Mexico’s National Migration American governments to close their move north or south. Institute (INM, using its acronym in Spanish) borders, worsening conditions for migrants. said that by late April, it had freed and On March 11, El Salvador shut its borders, deported from its holding facilities 3,653 barring entry for all foreigners except migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador, accredited diplomats and legal permanent 20 and Honduras. residents.26 Five days later, Honduras Asylum seekers are another example followed suit.27 This further expanded the of a migrant population left in limbo at immobilization of migrants, a situation that Mexico’s southern border. According remains to this day. Stranded migrants to the head of the UNHCR’s field office cannot go home, and those wishing to in Tapachula, the number of asylum migrate cannot leave. In desperation, many applicants had grown steadily until the others have sought legal status in their 21 coronavirus outbreak. In March, Mexico’s current location, but the legal system is not refugee agency, the Commission for able to process them, either. Refugee Assistance (COMAR), announced 3 BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 08.14.20

Finally—and perhaps in a result desired out a joint operation to remove migrants by the government— the closed borders from downtown Tapachula. Again, the hindered the formation of a caravan due idea was to prevent gatherings in large to depart from Honduras on March 9. numbers.32 But the result was that spaces According to media reports, the caravan where migrants could get moral support disbanded the following day due to the fear from each other, exchange information, of contagion among the migrants.28 etc., were now off limits. The harsh effects of such actions could Impact on Migrant Services be seen in the example of a Honduran Because of the pandemic, social services— woman who left her country five months mainly provided by nongovernmental prior and arrived in Tapachula with her organizations (NGOs)—that under normal children. She sold masks in the streets to circumstances would be available to feed her children and paid for the room migrants along the way have diminished or where her family slept (they were not Migrants found ceased. Many church-sponsored and private allowed to be there during the day). Her themselves stuck shelters that cater to the needs of in-transit situation worsened after local government in border areas and migrants and asylum seekers in Mexico measures were implemented. She explained that she could not go back to Honduras, beyond, but largely left closed their doors or stopped receiving immigrants deported from the U.S. or because there is no access to Guatemala and 33 to fend for themselves. Mexico.29 Thus, migrants found themselves in her country a strict curfew is in place. These conditions are stuck in border areas and beyond, but largely She could not make a living in Tapachula, now a widespread left to fend for themselves. These conditions nor could she return home. Her case is one are now a widespread problem: restrictive of thousands. problem: restrictive Adding to the migrants’ financial immigration policies immigration policies and closed borders are leaving migrants in limbo, with limited pressures is the pandemic’s devastating and closed borders access to health and other basic services and impact on remittances, a vital economic are leaving migrants rights that were once in place.30 safety net for people on the move. Due to in limbo, with limited rising unemployment in the U.S., money sent to migrants from relatives elsewhere is access to health and SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT running low. In this sense, another lifeline other basic services ON MIGRANTS: CONDITIONS for migrants stuck in place is threatened. and rights that were IN TAPACHULA Socially, migrants are stigmatized as a once in place. threat. Migrants roaming through Tapachula As this paper demonstrates, the pandemic are a so-called “hanging” population that has severely altered the life of migrants— causes uneasiness among authorities and those wishing to stay in Mexico, those in residents. The local media has contributed transit to the U.S., those deported to and to this feeling and encouraged anti-migrant through Mexico, and those with a pending sentiments by portraying migrants as asylum claim. Nowhere were the social carriers of the virus, particularly those who and economic impacts on migrants more have been deported or been in detention. evident than in Tapachula, Chiapas, near the Often, their presence generates tension.34 Guatemalan border. The headline of an article published in the The pandemic-related actions of daily El Orbe read “Migrants Who Wander in authorities in Tapachula have compounded Downtown Tapachula, a Latent Menace to the economic hardships for migrants. the Spread of Covid-19.”35 The social stigma For instance, on March 30 the mayor of of migrants has fed into their portrayal as Tapachula decided to close public parks— unsafe and possibly diseased. Thus, they where migrants had been able to interact have become an easy target for xenophobia, among themselves—in an effort to disperse ostracism, and racism. large crowds.31 Furthermore, INM personnel, Governments across the region—the National Guard members, police officers, U.S., Mexico, and Northern Central America— and Public Health Department staff carried have implemented a series of measures in

4 IMMOBILE AND VULNERABLE: MIGRANTS AT MEXICO’S SOUTHERN BORDER AT THE OUTSET OF COVID-19

response to the pandemic. These actions from international organizations and NGOS were presumably designed to stop the concurred that xenophobia, discrimination, spread of the disease. However, some of and stigmatization were on the rise. UN them—closing borders, suspending asylum agencies with offices in Tapachula have processing, detaining or releasing migrants, adopted several measures to support the preventing social and economic activities— work of NGOs and government agencies, have had a brutal effect on migrants. This but have primarily focused on preventing population, already living under precarious the spread of the virus.38 conditions, is now prevented from All respondents agreed that migrants continuing its journey, making a living, or are among the most at-risk groups within gaining social acceptance. They are in limbo, the general population. Precarious living with no end in sight. conditions, an irregular status, and limited access to health services make them more susceptible to infection.39 A representative THE RESPONSE: GOVERNMENT from a local NGO who works with the AGENCIES, INTERNATIONAL LGBTQIA+ community noted that in addition ORGANIZATIONS, AND MIGRANT to the inability to access health care and MOBILITY social services, this group also faces barriers such as homophobia and transphobia.40 To assess the response to the migration The response from government agencies crisis outlined above, we administered was limited. From the few questionnaires a short questionnaire to stakeholders completed, it is evident that action from working with migrant populations in government agencies is sporadic, lacks Tapachula. (See endnote 3 for the names clear purpose, and does not demonstrate of the organizations queried.) The survey a broader plan to deal with the crisis. One comprised three questions: What is your example: health personnel occasionally organization’s assessment of the migration visit migrant shelters, hotels, and motels issue today? Under existing conditions, what to check for symptoms of infection—as has been your organization’s response? prompted by a state-level health office What medium-term scenarios are foreseen and the Human Rights State Commission for migration trends and your work? in Chiapas—but such check-ins are hardly Respondents agreed that the number systematic.41 of migrants arriving in Mexico, including Respondents also said that lockdowns asylum applicants, declined at the outset and other measures intended to slow of the pandemic. The key question was transmission of the virus have limited the how long the trend would last. At least one ability of international organizations and representative from an NGO speculated that civil society organizations to deliver aid to mobility was likely to remain restricted for migrants. Thus, most have shifted their quite some time in some Central American approach from face-to-face exchanges countries—meaning that people would not to remote interactions to, for instance, 36 be able to migrate as easily as in the past. provide information and guidance via Others predicted the opposite: as even telephone conferences.42 However, harsher economic conditions developed government agencies approached for this in their home countries, people may have paper continue to provide services as usual, no choice but to attempt to migrate as such as a center for girls, boys and young soon as possible. Some respondents stated migrants that offers meals, social services, that stricter policing and containment and mental health support during normal regulations in Mexico and the U.S. will business hours. Many of these agencies have likely continue to hinder unauthorized implemented safety measures, including 37 migration and access to asylum. If this social distancing, sanitizing, and avoiding scenario comes to pass, many migrants large groups in closed spaces. could opt to stay in Mexico. All respondents

5 BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 08.14.20

Government of Mexico RECOMMENDATIONS The INM must facilitate the resolution of All Parties migration cases so that people are not Migrant populations require programs indefinitely waiting while stranded and designed to reduce their vulnerability, be vulnerable. Mexico should also allow it social (i.e., access to livable housing) international, national, and local organizations or economic (i.e., opportunities to make to advocate for asylum petitioners. Currently, a living). An effective approach would be joint work on behalf of migrants and asylum for government agencies to create joint seekers is limited, but such efforts should platforms for coordinated efforts among involve government agencies, international different stakeholders. Inter-governmental organizations, and other interested NGOs. teamwork is urgently needed due to the In the past, distrust between government massive spread of the virus and the disparate authorities and civil society groups has challenges that must be addressed. A distant hindered the possibility for more effective relationship between the U.S. and Mexico43 action toward all migrant populations. Amid and a lack of cooperation among Central this emergency, it is critical for parties to American nations and their North American overcome such apprehensions. neighbors can only translate into negative The government should educate the outcomes in the long run as conditions Mexican public to dissociate the spread of worsen, and people are forced to migrate. Covid-19 from the presence of migrants. This Governments and NGOs should learn from should be done along with a campaign to the current situation and be better prepared eradicate negative sentiments, stereotypes, Inter-governmental to handle and aid an influx of migrants in the and misconceptions that feed into teamwork is urgently event of a second or third wave of the virus. xenophobia and the rejection of migrants. needed due to the The government should not release Central American Governments migrants into the streets, which only creates massive spread of the a new homeless population that is vulnerable Border closures should be flexible to allow virus and the disparate to criminals. Provisional housing should be international agencies to help address difficult set up for stranded migrants. challenges that must conditions for migrants. Measures should be be addressed. in place that permit the re-entry of migrants U.S. Government to their country of citizenship, while also protecting their human rights and health. Ideally, law enforcement should cooperate and work with humanitarian organizations, Governments of Mexico and particularly those that provide aid to the the United States populations currently most in need of aid and protection: migrants and asylum Government agencies in both countries seekers from Central America and Mexico. must facilitate the work of international The U.S. must also fulfill its obligations under and charitable organizations that provide international law when it comes to asylum medical help—including testing for Covid- seekers. As a signatory of treaties that offer 19—before migrants are returned to their protection to those seeking asylum,44 the countries of origin. Such agencies should U.S. administration should honor their terms. set up binational working groups to develop In this regard, the Migration Protection methods to resolve the plight of stranded Protocols should be revoked. migrants. For instance, shared initiatives The U.S. should also halt current should focus on providing temporary shelter deportations to countries that are or housing to the most vulnerable groups in heavily affected by Covid-19 and have the migrant population—namely, the elderly, few resources to fight it. If deportations women with children, unaccompanied continue, the U.S. should establish stricter minors, and the LGBTQIA+ community. protocols to ensure the health of those detained and transported—as well as those who come into contact with them. The 6 IMMOBILE AND VULNERABLE: MIGRANTS AT MEXICO’S SOUTHERN BORDER AT THE OUTSET OF COVID-19

government should avoid, for example, (Tapachula office); Docteurs do Monde/DM again sending infected migrants [World Doctors, Mexico chapter]; Fiscalía de to Guatemala.45 Inmigrantes, Fiscalía General del Estado de U.S. agencies should consider the Chiapas/FDI [District Attorney’s Office for impact of an almost certain decline in Immigrants, State of Chiapas]; Desarrollo remittances from the U.S. to the migrants’ Integral de la Familia/DIF [Program for countries of origin, as predicted by Comprehensive Development of Families, analysts.46 If such a scenario comes to pass, Regional Office, Government of Chiapas]; it will likely spur a new era of outmigration Albergue Temporal para Menores Migrantes from Central America, and perhaps from [Temporary Shelter for Migrant Children, Mexico. The U.S. will then be challenged to Government of Chiapas]; Centro de Atención address the consequences for its labor force a Niñas, Niñas y Jóvenes Migrantes [Day and immigration policies. Center for Girls, Boys and Young Migrants, Government of Chiapas]. 4. The White House, “President Donald J. ENDNOTES Trump is Taking Necessary Safety Measures at the Border to Prevent Further Spread 1. Human mobility encompasses of the Coronavirus,” March 20, 2020, migration in all its forms, including tourism https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings- and commuting, etc. Immobility applies when statements/president-donald-j-trump- people are unable to travel, including people taking-necessary-safety-measures-border- who are being detained, stranded, waiting, or prevent-spread-coronavirus/. in limbo. In this brief we concentrate mostly 5. U.S. Department of Health and on migrants and to some extent on asylum Human Services (HHS) and Centers for claimants. Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2. Many migrants come from Honduras, “Order Suspending Introduction of El Salvador, and Guatemala. As of late 2019, Certain Persons from Countries Where a there was an increase in the numbers of Communicable Disease Exists,” March 20, Cubans and Haitians at Mexico’s southern 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/ border, according to an agent working in pdf/CDC-Order-Prohibiting-Introduction-of- the field (UNHCR representative, e-mail Persons_Final_3-20-20_3-p.pdf; Priscilla correspondence, April 29, 2020). Alvarez, “Trump administration has made 3. Findings are based on the authors’ sweeping changes to the U.S. immigration monitoring of developments between mid- system during the coronavirus pandemic,” March 2020 and April 2020. The information CNN, April 21, 2020, https://edition.cnn. comes from news articles and responses to com/2020/03/18/politics/immigration- questionnaires sent to a number of groups changes-coronavirus/index.html. and organizations. Due to the lockdown, 6. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in-person interviews were not an option. “Nationwide Enforcement Encounters: In most cases the respondents chose to Title 8 Enforcement Actions and Title 42 remain anonymous. The organizations Expulsions,” June 4, 2020, https://www.cbp. queried include: Una Mano Amiga en la Lucha gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement- contra el SIDA/UMA [A Friendly Hand in the statistics/title-8-and-title-42-statistics. Struggle Against AIDS]; Iniciativas para el 7. HHS and CDC, “Order Suspending Desarrollo Humano/IDH [Initiatives to Foster Introduction of Certain Persons,” March Human Development]; Centro de Derechos 20, 2020. Humanos Fray Matías de Cordoba/CDHFMC 8. The White House, “Proclamation [Center for Human Rights Friar Matías de Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Cordoba]; International Organization for Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Migrations/IOM (Tapachula office); United During the Economic Recovery Following Nations High Commissioner for Refugees/ the COVID-19 Outbreak,” April 22, 2020, UNHCR (Tapachula office); United Nations https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential- Infant, Children and Education Fund/UNICEF actions/proclamation-suspending-entry- 7 BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 08.14.20

immigrants-present-risk-u-s-labor- border, citing pandemic,” CBS News, June 1, market-economic-recovery-following- 2020, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ covid-19-outbreak/. as-trump-pushes-to-reopen-u-s-officials- 9. Letter to HHS Secretary Azar and CDC continue-border-expulsion-policy-citing- Director Redfield signed by leaders of public pandemic/; Caitlin Dickerson and Kirk Semple, health schools, medical schools, hospitals, “U.S. Deported Thousands Amid Covid-19 and other U.S. institutions, May 18, 2020, Outbreak. Some Proved to be Sick,” The New https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/ York Times, April 18, 2020, https://www. public-health-now/news/public-health- nytimes.com/2020/04/18/us/deportations- experts-urge-us-officials-withdraw-order- coronavirus-guatemala.html; Ted Hesson,“ enabling-mass-expulsion-asylum-seekers. U.S. again postpones immigration hearings 10. Camilo Montoya-Galvez. “As Trump for migrants in Mexico due to coronavirus,” pushes to reopen, U.S. continues expelling Reuters, April 1, 2020, https://www.reuters. migrants at border, citing pandemic,” May 18, com/article/us-health-coronavirus- 2020, https://www.publichealth.columbia. usa-immigration/u-s-again-postpones- edu/public-health-now/news/public- immigration-hearings-for-migrants-in- health-experts-urge-us-officials-withdraw- mexico-due-to-coronavirus-idUSKBN21J62J. order-enabling-mass-expulsion-asylum- 13. Molly O’Toole and Cindy Carcamo, seekers. “Guatemala turns tables, blocking U.S. 11. Charlie Martel and Grace Meng, deportations because of coronavirus,” Los “Trump Administration Using Pandemic as Angeles Times, March 17, 2020, https:// Excuse to Target Asylum Seekers,” Human www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-03- Rights Watch, April 7, 2020, https://www. 17/guatemala-close-borders-to-americans- hrw.org/news/2020/04/07/trump- trumps-deportation-flights. administration-using-pandemic-excuse- 14. Sandra Cuffe, "Mexico judge target-asylum-seekers. orders release of migrants vulnerable to 12. According to Juan Fierro, head of coronavirus,” Al Jazeera. April 18, 2020, the El Buen Samaritano shelter in Ciudad https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/ Juárez, until mid-March close to 60,000 mexico-judge-orders-release-migrants- people, mostly Central Americans, remained vulnerable-coronavirus-200419004324979. in several cities in Mexico as they waited html; and Oscar Lopez, “Mexico ordered to appear before a U.S. asylum judge. to guarantee coronavirus health care to With the new regulations in place, Fierro migrants,” Reuters. April 17, 2020, https:// said the waiting period would extend to www.reuters.com/article/us-health- about 10 months. See “Proceso de asilo coronavirus-migrants-trfn/mexico-ordered- genera cambios en la frontera con EU,” to-guarantee-coronavirus-health-care-to- Conexión Migrante, March 6, 2020, https:// migrants-idUSKBN21Z3FD. conexionmigrante.com/2020-/03-/06/ 15. Miguel Rojas, “Negocio redondo proceso-de-asilo-genera-cambios-en- la apertura de un nuevo paso informal,” la-frontera-con-eu/. The largest share Diario del Sur, April 2, 2020, https://www. were applicants subject to the Migration diariodelsur.com.mx/policiaca/negocio- Protection Protocols (MPP), otherwise redondo-la-apertura-de-un-nuevo- known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy. paso-informal-comerciantes-coronavirus- See María T. Gil-Bazo, “The Safe Third autoridades-5049689.html. Country Concept in International Agreements 16. Jaime Zambrano. “Polleros cambian on Refugee Protection. Assessing State rutas para pasar a migrantes,” Milenio, April Practice,” Netherlands Quarterly of Human 11, 2020, https://www.milenio.com/politica/ Rights 33, no. 1 (2015): 42–77. See also U.S. comunidad/cambian-polleros-las-rutas- Customs and Border Protection, “Nationwide para-pasar-a-indocumentados. Enforcement Encounters: Title 8 Enforcement 17. The International Organization Actions and Title 42 Expulsions”; Camilo for Migration’s (IOM) representative who Montoya-Galvez, “As Trump pushes to responded to a questionnaire for this brief reopen, U.S. continues expelling migrants at confirmed that detention facilities are 8 IMMOBILE AND VULNERABLE: MIGRANTS AT MEXICO’S SOUTHERN BORDER AT THE OUTSET OF COVID-19

overcrowded, sanitary and health conditions did not have the capacity to handle a health are poor, and they lack proper protocols crisis of the magnitude of Covid-19 (CDHFMC to respond to a Covid-19 outbreak. E-mail representative, April 24, 2020). This source correspondence, April 20, 2020. indicated that at the time of completing the 18. “Migrantes se amotinan en el INM. questionnaire, about 160 people remained in Se fugan 14,” El Orbe, March 25, 2020, custody at INM’s facilities in Chiapas. https://elorbe.com/seccion-politica/ 20. Instituto Nacional de Migración, local/2020/03/25/migrantes-se- “Actúa INM con responsabilidad ante la amotinan-en-el-inm-se-fugan-14.html; contingencia por Covid-19,” press bulletin and Instituto Nacional de Migración, “Tema no. 125/2020, April, 26, 2020, https:// migratorio 030420,” blog, April 3, 2020, www.gob.mx/inm/prensa/actua-inm-con- https://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/ responsabilidad-ante-la-contingencia-por- index.php/tema-migratorio-030420/. Covid-19-241034. Mutinies also took place in northern states 21. Alejandro Gómez. “Siguen such as Sonora (Hermosillo) and Coahuila incrementando las solicitudes de refugio (Piedras Negras). See Cristian Gómez Luna, en Chiapas.” Diario del Sur. March 1, 2020, “Migrantes se amotinan en INM en Sonora https://www.diariodelsur.com.mx/local/ ante temor de contagio,” La Jornada, April siguen-incrementado-las-solicitudes-de- 2, 2020, https://www.jornada.com.mx/ refugio-en-chiapas-4909616.html. ultimas/estados/2020/04/02/migrantes- 22. “Mexico suspends refugee requests se-amotinan-en-inm-en-sonora-ante- as coronavirus cases climb to 405,” Reuters, temor-de-contagio-7516.html; and Christian March 24, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/ Sánchez, “Migrantes sen Piedras Negras se article/us-health-coronavirus-mexico/ amotinan en albergue del INM,” Milenio, April mexico-suspends-refugee-requests- 3, 2020, https://www.milenio.com/estados/ as-coronavirus-cases-climb-to-405- en-coahuila-migrantes-se-amotinan-en- idUSKBN21C06N. albergue-del-inm. 23. Alejandro Gómez, “INM pone en 19. “Mexico: Free Detained Migrants riesgo a migrantes en Tapachula,” Diario del Amid Pandemic,” Human Rights Watch, Sur, April 15, 2020, https://www.diariodelsur. April 14, 2020, https://www.hrw.org/ com.mx/local/inm-pone-en-riesgo-a- news/2020/04/14/mexico-free-detained- migrantes-en-tapachula-migracion- migrants-amid-pandemic; Comisión coronavirus-extranjeros-5103146.html. Nacional de los Derechos Humanos, “Reitera 24. Email Communication, April 29, CNDH su preocupación por las personas en 2020. See also “Los migrantes, vulnerables contexto de migración varadas en territorio ante el cierre de fronteras en Centroamérica mexicano, en estaciones migratorias y por el coronavirus,” Noticias ONU, April estancias provisionales del INM, ante el 23, 2020, https://news.un.org/es/ cierre de fronteras por el Covid-19,” press story/2020/04/1473352. communique DGC/135/2020, April 16, 2020, 25. Elizabeth Marie Stuart. “Migrants https://www.cndh.org.mx/sites/default/ stranded ‘all over the world’ and at risk from files/documentos/2020-04/COM_2020_135. coronavirus.” UN News. May 7, 2020, https:// pdf; “Preocupa la extrema vulnerabilidad de news.un.org/en/story/2020/05/1063482. las personas en movilidad ante la pandemia 26. Andrea Salcedo, Sanam Yar, and Gina por Covid-19,” UNHCHR, Central America Cherelus, “Coronavirus Travel Restrictions, Regional Office, press release, April 23, 2020, Across the Globe,” The New York Times. May http://www.oacnudh.org/preocupa-la- 8, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/article/ extrema-vulnerabilidad-de-las-personas- coronavirus-travel-restrictions.html. en-movilidad-ante-la-pandemia-por- 27. Gobierno de la República Honduras, Covid-19-onu-derechos-humanos/. As the Mensaje del Presidente de la República, Juan IOM representative asserted (see endnote 23) Orlando Hernández, en Cadena Nacional de and another NGO representative also wrote Radio y Televisión sobre Nuevas Medidas ante in the questionnaire: one of the main reasons la Propagación de Covid-19. Tegucigalpa, the INM released detainees was because it March 15, 2020, http://www.exteriores.gob. 9 BAKER INSTITUTE REPORT // 08.14.20

es/Embajadas/TEGUCIGALPA/es/Embajada/ por-necesidad-pandemia-personas- Documents/NUEVAS%20MEDIDAS%20 vulnerables-contagios-5169973.html. The COVID19%20HONDURAS.pdf.pdf.pdf; Andrea curfew banned people from going out after Salcedo, Sanam Yar, and Gina Cherelus, 10pm. See: Presidencia de la República, “Coronavirus Travel Restrictions.” El Sistema Nacional de Riesgo, March 16, 28. “Caravana migrante proveniente 2020, https://docs.google.com/viewerng/ de Honduras se reduce por coronavirus,” El viewer?url=https://covid19honduras.org/ Universal, March 10, 2020, https://www. sites/default/files/TOQUE%2520DE%2520Q eluniversal.com.mx/mundo/coronavirus- UEDA%2520HONDURAS_0.pdf. caravana-migrante-proveniente-de- 34. A local businessman complained to honduras-se-reduce-por-Covid-19. a reporter about the presence of foreigners “INM fortalece medidas en estaciones in downtown Tapachula. He labeled migratorias por coronavirus,” El Heraldo migrants as virus carriers. See “En Plena de Chiapas, March 14, 2020, https:// Cuarentena Migrantes Siguen Invadiendo www.elheraldodechiapas.com.mx/local/ el Centro de Tapachula,” El Orbe, April 21, inm-fortalece-medidas-en-estaciones- 2020, https://elorbe.com/seccion-politica/ migratorias-por-coronavirus-migrantes- local/2020/04/21/en-plena-cuarentena- migracion-chiapas-4971346.html. migrantes-siguen-invadiendo-el-centro- 29. Human Rights Watch, “US: Suspend de-tapachula.html. We condemn the use Deportations During Pandemic-Forced of inflammatory language in the title of this Returns Risk Further Global Spread of article because it references migrants as Virus,” June 4, 2020, https://www.hrw. “invaders.” These attitudes only increase org/news/2020/06/04/us-suspend- feelings of resentment among those who deportations-during-pandemic; Molly already criticize, and reject, the social O’Toole and Cindy Carcamo,“Guatemala turns and economic aid that may be offered to tables, blocking U.S. deportations because of migrants. They argue that instead of helping coronavirus.” foreign populations, aid should go first and 30. Cathryn Grothe, “Refugees foremost to Mexican citizens. See “No Hay and Asylum Seekers Need Coronavirus Apoyos de Gobierno para Economía Familiar Protections, Not Restrictions,” Freedom Pero sí Para los Migrantes,” El Orbe, March House, April 27, 2020, https:// 26, 2020, https://elorbe.com/seccion- freedomhouse.org/article/refugees-and- politica/local/2020/03/26/no-hay-apoyos- asylum-seekers-need-coronavirus- de-gobierno-para-economia-familiar- protections-not-restrictions; Nidhi pero-si-para-los-migrantes.html. Subbaraman. “‘Distancing is impossible’: 35. Ildefonso Ochoa Arguello, “Migrantes refugee camps race to avert coronavirus que Deambulan en el Centro de Tapachula catastrophe,” Nature.,April 24, 2020, Amenaza Latente Para la Propagación del https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586- Covid-19,” April 24, 2020, https://elorbe. 020-01219-6. Kelsey P. Norman; “Syria, com/seccion-politica/local/2020/04/24/ the EU-Turkey Deal, and Migration Policies migrantes-que-deambulan-en-el-centro- in the Age of Covid-19.” Issue brief no. de-tapachula-amenaza-latente-para-la- 03.31.20, Rice University’s Baker Institute for propagacion-del-Covid-19.html. Public Policy, Houston, Texas, https://www. 36. CDHFMC representative, email bakerinstitute.org/research/migration- correspondence, April 24, 2020. policies-age-covid-19/. 37. CDHFMC representative, email 31. Enrique Coraza, personal correspondence, April 24, 2020. observation. 38. International organizations have 32. Enrique Coraza, personal provided personal hygiene and cleaning observation. supplies to shelters in Tapachula; offered 33. Marvin Bautista, “Migrantes salen on-line training to shelter staff on how to de casa por necesidad,” Diario del Sur, detect, prevent, and deal with Covid-19, April 30, 2020, https://www.diariodelsur. on self-care, and other online educational com.mx/local/migrantes-salen-de-casa- activities. Printed material in several 10 IMMOBILE AND VULNERABLE: MIGRANTS AT MEXICO’S SOUTHERN BORDER AT THE OUTSET OF COVID-19

languages has been handed out at different 45. See, for example, Government institutions with instructions on how to deal of Guatemala, “Vuelos de guatemaltecos with illness symptoms. IOM assisted with retornados de Estados Unidos,” Official voluntary return flights to Central America; Communiqué, May 15, 2020, https:// IOM’s Tapachula office requested funding www.minex.gob.gt/Noticias/Noticia. to buy sanitary and cleaning materials that aspx?ID=28666. could be distributed to local institutions. 46. Economic Commission on Latin UNICEF offered technical assistance to America. “Latin America and the Caribbean This research is government agents to handle the protection and the Covid-19 pandemic: Economic generously supported of migrant Children. UNHCR helped set up and social effects,” Special Report, by a grant from quarantine spaces for asylum petitioners April 2020, https://www.cepal.org/en/ who could get infected and continued publications/45351-latin-america-and- the Center for helping people with legal advice and cash caribbean-and-Covid-19-pandemic- Houston’s Future. handouts so people can pay their rent. IOM economic-and-social-effects; Manuel representative, email correspondence, April Orozco. “Migrants and the Impact of the 20, 2020; UNICEF, email correspondence, Covid-19 Pandemic on Remittances, April 20, 2020; UNHCR representative, email Inter-American Dialogue, March 18, 2020, correspondence, April 29, 2020. https://www.thedialogue.org/wp-content/ 39. DM representative, email uploads/2020/03/Migration-remittances- correspondence, April 24, 2020 and-the-impact-of-the-pandemic-3.pdf. 40. UMA’s representative, email correspondence, April 23, 2020. 41. Marvin Bautista. “Garantizan AUTHORS atención médica a población migrante ante See more Baker Institute Reports at: www.bakerinstitute.org/baker-reports Covid-19,” Diario del Sur, April 28, 2020, Luis A. Arriola Vega, Ph.D., was the summer 2016 visiting scholar at the Baker Institute https://www.diariodelsur.com.mx/local/ This publication was written by a Center for the United States and Mexico. garantizan-atencion-medica-a-poblacion- researcher (or researchers) who migrante-ante-Covid-19-tapachula- During the academic year, he works as a participated in a Baker Institute project. chequeo-frontera-sur-5160847.html. researcher within the Migration Studies and Wherever feasible, this research is reviewed by outside experts before it is 42. Some NGOs have participated in the Trans-border Processes Academic Group released. However, the views expressed delivery of material aid, mainly food, to people at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR/ Campeche). His research interests include herein are those of the individual in need. The work of DM is commendable author(s), and do not necessarily diverse dimensions of human mobility, as because they provide in-person medical represent the views of Rice University’s consultations (DM representative, email well as border studies. Baker Institute for Public Policy. communication, April 24, 2020). Enrique Coraza de los Santos, Ph.D., is a © 2020 Rice University’s Baker 43. Viri Rios, “Coronavirus has Mexico’s Institute for Public Policy Workers Pinned Between U.S. Business researcher within the Migration Studies and Trans-border Processes Academic Group Interests and Their President’s Obsessive This material may be quoted or Authority,” The Intercept, May 1, 2020, at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, (ECOSUR/ reproduced without prior permission, https://theintercept.com/2020/05/01/ Tapachula). His research interests include provided appropriate credit is given to the author and Rice University’s Baker mexico-coronavirus-us-relationship/. migration, human rights, and issues related Institute for Public Policy. 44. The U.S. has progressively to exile and patrimony. disregarded the central tenets of the original Cite as: Convention of Refugees and its corresponding Arriola Vega, Luis Alfredo and Enrique Protocol. The text of the two instruments can Coraza de los Santos. 2020. Immobile be found at: UNHCR, “The 1951 Conventions and Vulnerable: Migrants at Mexico’s Southern Border at the Outset of Relating to the Status of Refugees and its Covid-19. Baker Institute Report 1967 Protocol,” n.d., https://www.unhcr. no. 08.14.20. Rice University’s org/about-us/background/4ec262df9/1951- Baker Institute for Public Policy, convention-relating-status-refugees-its- Houston, Texas. 1967-protocol.html. https://doi.org/10.25613/ytyc-bx89

11