International

Over 140,000 asylum seekers in Mexico: GTPM calls for state-level legal protection

The inclusion of diverse migration profiles as individuals entitled to international protection, and their recognition across state-level frameworks, are among the key demands made this Friday by the Migration Policy Working Group (GTPM) to protect more than 140,000 asylum seekers currently in Mexico.

“We call for strengthened legislative action at the local level, recognizing asylum seekers and refugees as rights-holders within state legal frameworks,” urged the GTPM in a statement issued on World Refugee Day, commemorated each year on June 20.

Globally, Mexico ranked among the top five countries with the highest number of asylum seekers in 2023. This upward trend has continued in 2024, particularly in the southern state of Chiapas, the eastern state of Veracruz, and Mexico City, the nation’s capital.

The GTPM, a specialized network focused on developing migration and asylum policies grounded in human rights, stressed the importance of ensuring that the universal right to seek and receive asylum is respected. They called for the inclusion of key legal principles such as universality, interdependence, non-derogability, and progressivity, while also integrating gender, intercultural, and intersectional perspectives. These considerations are especially important given that, according to UNHCR, many women, girls, and adolescents are survivors of violence and sexual exploitation and require specialized care.

The group also demanded the monitoring and revision of state-level legal frameworks, to ensure they incorporate an inclusive approach that guarantees rights regardless of the individual’s migration status, employment, housing situation, security conditions, or gender identity.

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According to UNHCR, in 2024, 58% of migrants experienced some form of abuse while en route to Mexico. The most common crimes reported were theft (36%), followed by extortion (20%) and physical threats or intimidation (13%).

International

U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.

The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.

The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.

“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

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International

Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.

“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.

Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.

According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.

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International

Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.

The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.

Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.

Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.

The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.

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Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.

Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.

In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.