In response to the recent announcement by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the expansion of the CBP One mobile application for asylum seekers waiting in Mexico, civil society organizations and human rights defenders have penned a letter to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Secretary of the Interior Luisa María Alcalde Luján, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alicia Isabel Adriana Bárcena Ibarra. The letter addresses concerns about the use of the CBP One system as a discriminatory metering device and barrier to asylum, highlighting violations of international refugee law and human rights principles.
The expansion of the CBP One app to allow individuals in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas to request appointments for asylum at U.S. ports of entry raises significant issues regarding access to international protection. Previously, the app only allowed appointments to be scheduled above the 19th parallel in Mexico, limiting the options for asylum seekers in the southern regions of the country. This move, which was reportedly requested by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has sparked criticism from human rights advocates who argue that the CBP One system is inherently flawed and discriminatory in its operation.
The letter emphasizes that the CBP One appointment system violates international refugee law by restricting access to the United States for asylum seekers, limiting the number of applications processed, excluding individuals who do not speak certain languages, and putting vulnerable individuals at risk in dangerous locations. By collaborating with the U.S. government in the implementation of these policies, Mexico is seen as complicit in violating the human rights of asylum seekers and migrants, including the principle of non-refoulement, the right to life and personal integrity, freedom from discrimination, and access to essential services.
The undersigned organizations and defenders call on the Mexican government to uphold its national and international obligations to protect the rights of all asylum seekers and migrants, including those transiting to the United States. These obligations include ensuring non-refoulement, protecting against torture and inhuman treatment, and providing access to essential services such as employment, education, healthcare, and housing. The letter urges the government to reconsider its collaboration with the CBP One system and to prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals seeking asylum.
In conclusion, the letter serves as a reminder to the Mexican government of its responsibilities under international law and human rights standards. It calls for a reevaluation of the use of the CBP One system and a commitment to upholding the rights of asylum seekers and migrants in accordance with legal and ethical principles. The concerns raised by civil society organizations and human rights defenders highlight the importance of ensuring access to international protection for those in need, without discrimination or barriers that put lives at risk.
