Since the Biden administration halted most asylum requests, shelters south of the U.S. border have experienced varying impacts. While some shelters have seen an increase in migrants, others have not witnessed significant changes.
Shelters in Mexico's Sonora state are facing strain due to up to 500 deportations from Arizona daily, leading to overcrowding and the need to turn away individuals seeking shelter.
On the other hand, shelters in Tijuana have not received any deported migrants since the asylum ban took effect. Uncertainty looms as migrant advocacy groups report rumors and mental health impacts on individuals.
The new rule, which suspends asylum when daily arrests for illegal crossings exceed 2,500, has led to thousands of deportations. The halt will continue until arrests fall below a seven-day daily average of 1,500.
Mexican authorities have been relocating unauthorized individuals further south of the border zone, adding to the strain on border cities already affected by previous U.S. policies.
Immigration advocates have raised concerns about the backlog of individuals waiting for legal entry through the CBP One app, which grants limited daily appointments. Some migrants have been attempting to secure appointments for months without success.
Shelters like Casa del Migrante in Matamoros are preparing for potential bottlenecks as more migrants compete for limited slots through CBP One. The director anticipates challenges in providing food for the increasing number of migrants.
While some shelters have seen a decrease in occupancy, concerns remain about unintended consequences of exempting unaccompanied children from the asylum ban. There are fears that this exemption may lead to more children being sent alone to seek entry into the U.S.
Overall, the impact of the asylum ban on shelters south of the U.S. border remains complex and uneven, with varying challenges and uncertainties faced by different regions.
