Field Notes from the Research Committee: The U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis (2024)

Overview The humanitarian situation at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2024 has continued to deteriorate, with policies implemented by the U.S. government and ongoing enforcement practices leading to significant human rights abuses. The Biden administration’s June 2024 asylum ban, combined with digital processing barriers such as the CBP One app, has left many migrants stranded in dangerous conditions in Mexican border towns. Migrants face exploitation, violence, and extreme uncertainty as they attempt to seek protection. The Global Human Rights Commission (GHRC), along with its partner organizations, has been documenting these developments, monitoring the effects on migrants, and calling for immediate reforms.

Key Findings

1. Asylum: An Illusory Right The June 2024 asylum ban, part of the U.S. government’s continued attempt to control irregular migration, effectively dismantles the right to seek asylum. The introduction of digital metering and the requirement to use the CBP One app have created insurmountable barriers for many, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and those without technological access or literacy. These policies violate the non-refoulement principle, a cornerstone of international refugee law, by making asylum unattainable for those at the U.S.-Mexico border.

• The app’s failures, including inconsistent scheduling and language barriers, have exacerbated the crisis. Migrants who fail to secure appointments are returned to dangerous border cities in Mexico, where they are highly vulnerable to violence and exploitation.

2. Border Patrol Abuses and Detention Conditions Migrant advocacy groups report systemic abuses by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including physical and verbal mistreatment of detainees, denial of adequate food, water, and medical care, and inhumane detention conditions. Overcrowded and unsanitary facilities are exacerbating health issues, with infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and respiratory infections spreading rapidly.

• Families, including children, are being detained for long periods, often in unsuitable conditions that fail to meet basic standards of care. The lack of oversight has allowed a culture of impunity to thrive within CBP, with little accountability for the mistreatment of migrants​(

  HRW

  National Immigrant Justice Center

3. Exploitation and Violence by Criminal Networks Asylum seekers stranded in Mexico due to U.S. policies face heightened risks of exploitation. Criminal cartels and human traffickers have capitalized on the chaos, preying on vulnerable migrants. Kidnappings, extortion, and human trafficking are rampant in cities like Matamoros and Tijuana, where migrants waiting for appointments or who have been denied entry face extreme dangers.

• Data from humanitarian organizations suggests that up to 1,000 migrants per month fall victim to extortion, kidnapping, or other forms of violence along the border, with women and children particularly at risk.

4. Family Separation Continues Despite promises to end family separations, the implementation of new asylum procedures has led to the involuntary separation of families, particularly in cases where children are processed differently than adults. Unaccompanied minors are often left in limbo, detained without family members for weeks or months.

Advocacy groups report severe psychological trauma among children as a result of these practices.

• Data shows an increase in family separations in the first half of 2024, with over 1,500 family units impacted since the new policies went into effect. Long-term trauma, particularly for children, is a growing concern.

5. Public Health and Deteriorating Conditions Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at border facilities have led to a public health crisis. Migrants with pre-existing health conditions are often denied proper treatment, and there is a lack of mental health support for those facing trauma after fleeing violence. Many facilities have also reported shortages of clean drinking water and sanitation supplies, contributing to the spread of diseases.

• Outbreaks of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and influenza, have been reported in at least three detention centers, with inadequate access to medical care leading to worsening conditions​(

  National Immigrant Justice Center

  
  

Recommendations

1. End the Asylum Ban and Restore Due Process The U.S. government must immediately repeal the 2024 asylum ban and provide migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border with access to fair and transparent asylum processes. Digital tools like the CBP One app must be improved to ensure equitable access for all, regardless of technological or language barriers.

2. Increase Accountability for Border Officials It is critical to establish independent oversight of CBP and other enforcement agencies to ensure accountability for human rights abuses. An independent body should be tasked with investigating claims of mistreatment, with findings leading to both disciplinary and legal action.

3. Establish Safe and Legal Pathways for Migration To reduce the reliance on dangerous, irregular migration routes, the U.S. government must create safe and legal pathways for migrants to apply for asylum. Expanding refugee resettlement programs and temporary work visas can provide alternatives to the current system, which leaves many migrants in a state of limbo.

4. Prioritize Family Reunification Family separation must be explicitly prohibited under U.S. immigration law, and priority must be given to reuniting separated families. Detention of children, particularly unaccompanied minors, must be reduced, with alternatives to detention explored that prioritize the best interests of the child.

5. Invest in Humanitarian Aid and Health Services The U.S. must increase funding for humanitarian organizations working on both sides of the border. Health services in detention centers need to be expanded, with a focus on providing adequate medical care and mental health support for those detained.

Conclusion

The situation at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2024 is dire, with restrictive U.S. policies exacerbating the vulnerability of those seeking asylum. The Global Human Rights

Commission (GHRC) urges immediate action to reverse harmful policies and uphold the principles of international law. The U.S. must prioritize human rights and dignity in its border enforcement strategies, ensuring that no individual seeking refuge is returned to danger. The recommendations outlined in this report serve as a blueprint for humane and just immigration reform, which must be swiftly implemented to prevent further suffering.