In Mexico, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has raised alarms about the direct impacts of the new U.S. immigration policies with Donald Trump's return to the White House. According to MSF's general coordinator in Mexico, Adriana Palomares, the decision to suspend online applications for asylum appointments will have immediate and long-term consequences on the lives of many people, generating frustration, sadness, and fear among migrants.
In collected testimonies, it is emphasized that many migrants find themselves in precarious situations after selling their belongings or leaving jobs to attend their asylum appointments. Despite this, some maintain hope for a solution in the future. In particular, a Venezuelan named Silvia, treated at a MSF clinic in Coatzacoalcos, expressed her sadness over the Trump administration's decision, pointing out that it increases the dangers faced by migrants in Mexico.
MSF reported that the closure of the 'CBP One' tool has left hundreds of thousands of people in uncertainty on a route where violence is extreme. The elimination of this program is seen as a setback in protecting the human rights of migrants. The uncertainty at the northern border of Mexico has affected those seeking asylum, with no clarity on new migration alternatives.
Mario, another Venezuelan stranded in Coatzacoalcos, pointed out that the decision to suspend 'CBP One' leaves migrants more vulnerable to threats of extortion and kidnapping on a dangerous route. In addition to the physical impact, the psychological impact on migrants has been highlighted, leading MSF to initiate programs to address potential cases of anxiety and emotional crises.
Restrictive policies like 'Remain in Mexico' and the closure of 'CBP One' have created a crisis for asylum seekers at the border. MSF has documented an increase in migrant caravans from southern Mexico, as well as an increase in reports of violence along migration routes. The project coordinator in the northern region of the country has also raised alarms about the rise in extortion, theft, and kidnappings, considering that a collective crisis has erupted in the region.