The United States has returned the first group of asylum seekers to Mexico, where they will wait out their cases, after the start of a new Trump administration immigration policy.
A man named Carlos from Honduras arrived in Tijuana on January 29 under the new policy, called the Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP). He is the first of many asylum seekers from the Northern Triangle who will be sent back to Mexico until their immigration court date in the United States—at which point, they will be allowed to enter the country to attend their hearings.
As of Jan. 30, at least a dozen people have been returned to Tijuana through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, including one woman.
Honduran migrant Marlon Ariel Mendez was part of a group of asylum-seekers who were returned to Tijuana on Jan. 30. Mendez, 19, told reporters he was glad to be back in Mexico, after being detained in a immigration detention facility.
“Thanks to God, I didn’t want to be there (in detention), above all else because of the food,” he said.
Mendez said he was not worried about being returned to Mexico.
“It’s better to be here than locked up.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen’s visit to San Diego’s San Ysidro Port of Entry kicked off the start of the policy on Jan 29. That day only one asylum seeker walked back through the port gates, although the United States has said it will send 20 per day.
“The MPP will enable DHS to take a huge step forward in bringing order to chaotic migration flows, restoring the rule of law and the integrity of the United States immigration system, and allowing DHS to focus resources on providing relief to individuals fleeing persecution while at the same time holding those accountable who make false asylum claims,” said Nielsen.
Honduran reporter Josue Cover told The Epoch Times on Jan. 17 that coyotes encourage migrants in the caravan to bring young children along the journey north.
“The coyotes tell them that ‘please, if you are going to come, then come with a minor, with a baby, because that way you are given more support,’ that is, they are given the opportunity to cross to the United States,” said Cover.
Cover said local coyotes also tell minors they have a better chance if entering the United States if they go alone.
“They [coyotes] say that the immigration authorities help them and that they have compassion for them, whereas if you go without children, or you are an adult male—it is very difficult.”
“Today the United States returned to the first Central American foreigner to Tijuana, something unprecedented, incredibly @lopezobrador_ and the @GobiernoMX agreed to receive the Central American, fulfilling the instructions of @realDonaldTrump and violating the national sovereignty, shameful!”
