Eye-Opening Introduction to the Border Crisis
Since mid-September 2023, a distressing number of migrants and asylum seekers have found themselves stranded in open-air detention sites (OADS) after crossing the US-Mexico border, just a stone’s throw away from Tijuana to the San Diego region. These desolate areas serve as holding sites, where individuals and families are left exposed to the elements, fighting for survival from the dirt or cardboard they sit or lay on. In many cases, OADS are located between border walls, rendering escape impossible, or are situated in remote areas like the desert town of Jacumba. Despite the dire circumstances, nonprofit organizations and volunteers provide essential supplies like water, meals, first aid, diapers, and clothing to those trapped in these harsh environments.
Notably, migrants and asylum seekers are confined in OADS ranging from 10 minutes to a week before being apprehended and transported to Border Patrol detention facilities or the San Ysidro Port of Entry for processing. While Customs and Border Protection (CBP) keeps track of the duration of their stay in OADS and controls the area, they fail to meet the basic needs of the individuals in their custody, a blatant violation of their own standards for humane treatment.
Compounding the issue, CBP has released over 20,000 individuals at San Diego transit stations since September 13, 2023. Fortunately, nonprofit organizations and volunteers have stepped in to provide urgent assistance and support to these vulnerable populations. Disturbingly, more than 700 instances have been documented where family members were separated, either at OADS or during hospitalization since September 20, 2023.
In October 2023, the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) Migrant Rights and Justice program undertook a visit to San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, to glean insights into the conditions faced by those seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. During the visit, WRC witnessed the inhumane conditions of a migrant shelter and an encampment between the border walls. They also engaged in voluntary efforts to assist released migrants and asylum seekers, while holding discussions with local officials and nonprofit organizations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation. Based on their firsthand experiences, WRC presents their assessments and recommendations.
Thought-Provoking Summary Recommendations
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Customs and Border Protection (CBP) should adopt a humane and efficient process for handling migrants, including asylum seekers, and abandon the use of open-air detention sites. Processing should take place in designated facilities.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must collaborate with local and state governments to develop a well-coordinated and sustainable response system for processing and releasing migrants and asylum seekers in the San Diego region.
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Congress is urged to significantly increase funding for local governments and nonprofit organizations providing short-term and medium-term aid, as well as housing services for those in need.
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The Biden administration should repeal the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule, commonly referred to as the asylum ban, expand asylum processing capacity at ports of entry, and ensure that access to asylum is not restricted by US and Mexican officials.
(1) The WRC Migrant Rights and Justice program routinely conducts monitoring visits to the US-Mexico border to gather firsthand accounts from asylum seekers, service providers, and government officials. Additional reports on this issue can be found at https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/researchresources/.
(2) The WRC expresses gratitude to the asylum seekers who shared their stories, as well as the shelter providers, aid workers, nonprofit partners, and local US and Mexican officials for their cooperation and candid discussions.
