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Yesterday, we testified before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Laredo.
We talked about how difficult it is giving legal counsel to our clients in detention, how we're stymied every day by ICE.
We also heard a lot of terrible stories from others:
We talked about how difficult it is giving legal counsel to our clients in detention, how we're stymied every day by ICE.
We also heard a lot of terrible stories from others:
We heard from an Angolan refugee who had all her documents taken away from her at the border—a result of discrimination against her, she said.
She was then detained for *over a year* while asking for asylum. Conditions were terrible: one medic per 500 detainees, awful food, etc.
She was then detained for *over a year* while asking for asylum. Conditions were terrible: one medic per 500 detainees, awful food, etc.
She requested medical assistance, but there weren't enough doctors to see her.
The awful food they received was deemed a "balanced meal" by detention staff.
She had to stomach it all. She can't go back, she has no family there, she's pleading for asylum.
The awful food they received was deemed a "balanced meal" by detention staff.
She had to stomach it all. She can't go back, she has no family there, she's pleading for asylum.
We heard how *three commissioners* from the Inter-American Commission itself were KICKED OUT of a detention center by a judge after witnessing deplorable conditions.
The commission was also prevented from entering Mexico by the Mexican gov. to witness conditions at the border.
The commission was also prevented from entering Mexico by the Mexican gov. to witness conditions at the border.
We heard from a Catholic nun who said she never thought she'd see the day she would be ashamed of her own government, in regards to how it is treating refugees and immigrants.
A commissioner said she visited a center in San Diego where men guarded women.
A doctor said 39 kids were detained 3-4 days in one detention center, with no showers, no clean clothes, baby bottles weren't cleaned between feedings.
A doctor said 39 kids were detained 3-4 days in one detention center, with no showers, no clean clothes, baby bottles weren't cleaned between feedings.
Another said 1500 ppl were held in a center meant for 72 in "conditions worse than a prison."
One man talked about being kidnapped, extorted, forced to wait, & finally driven to cross on his own across the river.
In detention, it was so crowded you had to sit or stand to sleep.
One man talked about being kidnapped, extorted, forced to wait, & finally driven to cross on his own across the river.
In detention, it was so crowded you had to sit or stand to sleep.
Others talked about metering, how lists are hundreds, thousands long at some ports of entry, meaning you have to wait weeks, months.
Other border towns don't even have lists or it's impossible to know how to put your name on them. Effectively, there's no way to ask for asylum.
Other border towns don't even have lists or it's impossible to know how to put your name on them. Effectively, there's no way to ask for asylum.
One woman said the Mexican gov. asked her to manage the list for asylum seekers.
She said no, she'd become a target if she did so. People are bribed to be moved up the list, gov. officials are involved, it's a dangerous business.
And asylum-seekers are caught in the middle.
She said no, she'd become a target if she did so. People are bribed to be moved up the list, gov. officials are involved, it's a dangerous business.
And asylum-seekers are caught in the middle.
People testified about Piedras Negras, how asylum-seekers were greeted w/troops & placed in a barbed-wire-enclosed shelter.
We reported on this at the time when we went down there to talk through the fence to those on the inside.
We reported on this at the time when we went down there to talk through the fence to those on the inside.
Others talked about the bus stations in the US where ICE drops off detainees, how people are sick from the hieleras, how they arrive w/out shoelaces, IDs, info on medications, how they come w/wet clothes, how people show up not having showered for 10 days or more.
Commissioners were visibly frustrated.
One said "How is it possible that our country, our gov. is not aware of the hardships and how desperate immigrants must feel in search for a better life?"
Another that the system was "designed to disempower and dehumanize."
One said "How is it possible that our country, our gov. is not aware of the hardships and how desperate immigrants must feel in search for a better life?"
Another that the system was "designed to disempower and dehumanize."
One of our clients spoke. She's trans, she was a hair stylist ,& said she fled b/c soldiers always harassed her getting off the bus.
Gang members would knock on her door & threaten her.
When she reported this, she got no attention, b/c authorities don't help if you're trans.
Gang members would knock on her door & threaten her.
When she reported this, she got no attention, b/c authorities don't help if you're trans.
In Mexico, she was detained among men for 23 days. She was assaulted in detention & prevented from having an HIV screening.
When she asked for asylum, she had to wait a month & a half before crossing.
She's now in detention here, waiting longer, still imprisoned.
When she asked for asylum, she had to wait a month & a half before crossing.
She's now in detention here, waiting longer, still imprisoned.
The testimony yesterday was a laundry list of the worst things done to migrants by the Trump administration, both on this side of the border & in Mexico.
We can't let this keep happening.
We can't let this keep happening.
We must continue to investigate conditions at the southern border.
Other states in the Americas have to band together & condemn the treatment of migrants by the United States.
We cannot allow the US to pressure Mexico, Guatemala, or any other country to ignore these abuses.
Other states in the Americas have to band together & condemn the treatment of migrants by the United States.
We cannot allow the US to pressure Mexico, Guatemala, or any other country to ignore these abuses.
