International
After the new restrictions, fewer migrants can apply for asylum at the U.S. border
After the entry into force of a series of restrictions on the southern border of the United States, the number of migrants who can apply for asylum or some type of protection in the country has been reduced, several officials reported.
The measures, which were activated last week through an executive order of President Joe Biden, prohibit the majority of people who irregularly cross into U.S. territory from accessing this protection.
According to officials, a small group of media, including EFE, indicated the number of migrants who were referred to be deported in a “expedited” way to their countries or expelled to Mexico. This after being stopped at the border has doubled in the last week.
Specifically, from June 5 to 12, “73% of the family units and detained adults were prosecuted for voluntary return or expeditious deportation.”
In comparison, the week before the restrictions came into effect, this figure was 36%.
An official of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that “the number of arrests in the El Paso sector (Texas) has decreased a little” and that they have seen “early signs that the number of arrests throughout the border is decreasing.”
In turn, he assured that since the restrictions came into feal “the number of adults and family units that are processed and detained for expeditious deportation has doubled.”
When asked about the effect of the restrictions on the number of people who are subject to detention every day at the border, officials assured that it is “very soon” to evaluate it.
However, an official of the Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicated that “the number of arrests in the El Paso sector has decreased a little” and that he has seen “early signs that the number of arrests throughout the border is decreasing.”
In the El Paso area, where the authorities built a large processing center with capacity for 2,500 migrants, the “majority” of the people in detention have not been able to apply for asylum, according to an officer of the Border Patrol.
The reason, the officer said, is that they are not expressing that they are afraid of being returned to their countries.
As part of the new measures, people who are stopped crossing irregularly have to express on their own that they are afraid to return to their countries of origin.
The new restrictions eliminated the requirement for the Border Patrol to ask migrants if they were afraid of return. Now they must be the ones who express it to be able to have a “credible fear” interview, the initial filter to be able to access some type of protection in the United States.
The official explained that in different parts of the center, there are posters explaining this change to migrants. EFE could only see one, in the area where the initial data is taken.
The facility, located in the middle of the desert, is composed of several tents and containers and extends for more than 300.00 square feet.
This Thursday, more than 1,321 migrants were detained in this center, according to the official.
It has a capacity for 2,500 people and today there were 1,320. In these facilities, about 700 people work daily, including CBP officials and contractors.
In this center, there are detainees both families and adults who travel alone and unaccompanied minors.
Migrants are detained in dozens of cells, with transparent doors. In each of them, they sleep and spend the day of 15 to 20 people.
Each cell has three toilets and two sinks. There are also several mats that people use to sleep on the floor. They are given an aluminum blanket to cover themselves.
Several human rights organizations filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the new restrictions imposed by Biden.
The organizations argued that the regulations are “categorically inconsistent with the asylum statute promulgated by Congress, which allows immigrants to submit asylum applications “whether they enter or not” through a port of entry.”
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
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