Mexico City, Mexico, October 18, 2021 — As the current U.S. Administration continues to deny vulnerable people the right to seek asylum using Title 42, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) confirms its refusal to participate in any future exemptions processes.
Meghan Lopez, Regional Vice President for Latin America at the IRC, said:
“Earlier this year, the IRC engaged in a temporary joint effort to support asylum seekers with serious, urgent humanitarian needs who were stuck at the U.S.-Mexico border under Title 42. We agreed to participate on a fixed-term basis to remove barriers and help as many people as possible access their right to seek international protection, with the expectation that the current Administration would end the policy soon after—months later, this still hasn’t happened.
“With Title 42 still in place, people waiting at the border are in immediate danger similar to the conditions they have fled. As the security situation in Mexico continues to deteriorate, now the number of Mexican nationals forced to displace internally is also increasing.
“The IRC announced the conclusion of its participation in the exemptions process by the end of July, as the process and Title 42 are unsustainable measures. We do not intend on resuming participation now or in the future.”
We have grave concerns that Title 42 violates U.S. refugee & anti-trafficking laws, and international treaty obligations by expelling children, families, and adults seeking asylum from persecution, torture and other serious danger. The International Rescue Committee renews its call for the United States to end the use of Title 42 to stop asylum seekers from finding safety from harm within and at U.S. borders. At the same time, the IRC encourages the U.S. and Mexican governments to increase support for protection systems along the migration routes to ensure safety for those who are seeking it, no matter their nationality, including especially Haitians, Central Americans and Mexicans, as well as any other nationalities.
The IRC has released a detailed set of recommendations to address the root causes for the migration crisis in Northern Central America and rebuild the U.S. protection infrastructure in a manner that ensures dignity, safety and recognition of rights for all.