Our staff is at the Gateway International Bridge between Brownsville and Matomoros this morning, as a group of asylum seekers blocked the bridge in peaceful protest of the “Migrant Protection Protocols” (MPP) program that forces them to live in squalid conditions in Mexico. 
.@CBP has been carrying out its unlawful and cruel MPP policy in the Rio Grande Valley for months, returning vulnerable asylum seekers to Tamaulipas – a Mexican state that has the same State Department “do not travel’ advisory for all travelers as Syria.
Asylum seekers forcibly returned to Matamoros have experienced kidnapping, rape, extortion, disappearances, and death trying to re-enter the US.
Thousands are stranded in a growing encampment where they lack access to sanitary living conditions and health care.
Thousands are stranded in a growing encampment where they lack access to sanitary living conditions and health care.
Hundreds of children are stranded in the camp, along with numerous pregnant women and other particularly vulnerable groups.
The camp, where people face continuing food and water insecurity, is unsafe and many need medical attention. n.pr/2oXhKCl
The camp, where people face continuing food and water insecurity, is unsafe and many need medical attention. n.pr/2oXhKCl
The US and Mexican governments have a moral obligation to meet migrants’ very basic needs and ensure migrants’ safety as they seek asylum.
Both governments should work with the international community to address this situation urgently.
Both governments should work with the international community to address this situation urgently.
The Trump administration should immediately #EndMPP.
At a minimum, they should cease returning asylum seekers to Tamaulipas, remove all particularly vulnerable populations from the program, including pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ persons.
At a minimum, they should cease returning asylum seekers to Tamaulipas, remove all particularly vulnerable populations from the program, including pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ persons.
