SCOOP: A team of senior DHS officials who examined the 'Remain in Mexico' program found that US border officials appear to have pressured asylum officers to deny asylum-seekers entry into the country, according to a report obtained by BuzzFeed News.
buzzfeednews.com/article/hameda…
buzzfeednews.com/article/hameda…
A group of senior DHS officials not involved with MPP and organized by recently departed acting secretary Kevin McAleenan to review the implementation of the program made a number of recommendations that suggest significant issues created by the program at the border.
The “Red Team” calls on agencies within DHS, including CBP, to improve language access for immigrants and ensure that they understand the “questions asked and can make informed decisions,” & standardize procedures for screening vulnerable populations like the disabled.
The recommendations indicate that asylum-seekers have not been allowed to be interviewed by asylum officers and the officers have faced pressure to rule against those seeking protection.
From the report:
From the report:
There are other recommendations, like CBP creating guidelines that spell out the “appropriate use of restraints during the interviews,” & ensuring that the biometric information of those who have proven they have fear of being persecuted in Mexico is not shared with Mexico.
There's a section on improving communication with those stuck in Mexico:
And the recommendations state that Mexican nationals have been placed into the program -- which is not supposed to happen.
