The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico issued a warning to migrants on Thursday, emphasizing that those who do not choose a legal pathway into the U.S. will face significant consequences. This message comes at a crucial time as the Biden administration seeks Mexico's cooperation in managing the flow of migrants to their shared border.
The Ambassador highlighted that there has been a decrease in the number of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border following recent changes implemented by President Joe Biden to make the asylum process more challenging. However, specific figures regarding the reduction in migrant encounters were not provided.
Under the new executive order, asylum processing will be limited once daily encounters with migrants between ports of entry reach 2,500. The order was immediately enforced due to the high daily figures, which were around 4,000.
Civil rights groups have expressed concerns about the policy changes, with some likening them to previous actions taken by the Trump administration. Immigrant advocacy organizations have even filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the order.
Mexican authorities have also been taking measures to deter migration, including rounding up migrants, including those returned by the U.S., and relocating them to southern cities within Mexico.
The U.N. refugee agency has raised alarms about potential violations of international refugee protections in relation to Biden's order.
Immigration cooperation was a key topic during a call between U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and incoming Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, with a focus on strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
The U.S. Ambassador refrained from commenting on proposed judicial reforms by outgoing Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. However, U.S. officials have stressed the importance of transparency in Mexico's judicial changes, particularly concerning their impact on American investors and companies.
While emphasizing the significance of a robust judicial system, the Ambassador acknowledged that decisions regarding reforms ultimately rest with the Mexican people.
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