Today, a delegation of House Democrats crossed the border near Brownsville, Texas to bring attention to the terrible Trump Administration policy called “Remain in Mexico.”
Remain in Mexico, also known as MPP, was implemented a year ago and has forced some 60,000 asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while applying for asylum. Their waits last for months in dangerous conditions — hundreds have reported kidnappings, rapes, assaults, and other violent crimes. At the end of the process, migrants are subjected to tent courts which spend just minutes on each case, reject nearly all applications, and lack transparent procedures.
The delegation today discovered a six-year-old girl with a heart defect and Down’s Syndrome who had sent to MPP yesterday, even though children with medical conditions are not supposed to be turned away at the border. The Democrats were able to get the girl into the U.S. while her family’s asylum case is considered, but the incident raises the question of how many similar cases have been turned away.
Members of the visiting delegation included Reps. Rep. Peter DeFazio, Suzanne Bonamici, Nanette Barragan, Linda Sanchez, Ben Ray Luján, Rose DeLauro, Joaquin Castro, Chuy García, Filemon Vela, Norma Torres, and Marcy Kaptur, all Democrats.
View just some of their photos and tweets below.
This is a large refugee camp, without the resources and support it needs — all because of Trump’s #RemainInMexico policy. It is inexcusable. We must do all we can to make sure these families are safe. #SaveAsylum #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/MNlFv54xbr
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) January 17, 2020
Medical personnel on the ground say the situation in Matamoros is so bad, they need the same type of support and infrastructure that is given to the formal refugee camps in the Middle East. #DemsAtTheBorder #DontLookAway pic.twitter.com/9RsvPFnlHt
— Rep Peter DeFazio (@RepPeterDeFazio) January 17, 2020
"It took five members of congress to stay behind and say, why is this child not being allowed? … after some time, we were able to get her through." https://t.co/P38CV8p5JQ #DemsAtTheBorder
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) January 17, 2020
Crossing the border to Matamoros, Mexico, where families are being sent to stay in dangerous conditions while seeking asylum under the Trump admin’s #RemainInMexico policy. #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/g7y9PE15Yi
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) January 17, 2020
I’m heartbroken by what I saw today. This is no way to treat families who are coming to the U.S. seeking a better life. The #RemainInMexico policy must end. We need to open our arms, hearts, and country. #DemsAtTheBorder #DontLookAway pic.twitter.com/qKlvgRjmIU
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) January 17, 2020
.@JoaquinCastrotx, @RepMarcyKaptur, @repbenraylujan & @RepBarragan still at border to demand answers why child from El Salv with Down syndrome and heart condition is being turned away at border. @CBP initially said no room but child has help waiting in Philly. #DemsAtTheBorder
— Nanette D. Barragán (@RepBarragan) January 17, 2020
Conditions in Matamoros are shocking. #DemsAtTheBorder are here to meet families, bear witness, and hold the Trump Admin accountable. #DontLookAway pic.twitter.com/4XrMc4JKSv
— Rep. Linda Sánchez (@RepLindaSanchez) January 17, 2020
Crossing the border into Mexico w/ @HispanicCaucus to meet asylum seekers & investigate the conditions in which migrants are living in tent camps. Stay tuned. #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/ct4aowbXCz
— Ben Ray Luján (@repbenraylujan) January 17, 2020
These are the terrible conditions kids and their families are living in due to President Trump’s cruel #RemainInMexico policy. This is inhumane, and it is wrong. #DontLookAway #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/AP3S0t5IKr
— Rosa DeLauro (@rosadelauro) January 17, 2020
As a mom and a lawyer, what I saw today was horrific. @DOJ_EOIR didn’t even bother to show up to brief 20 Members of Congress. We’ve got to keep the heat on the Trump Admin for unacceptable #RemainInMexico and #TentCourts. #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/KqAqwSyaCa
— Rep. Linda Sánchez (@RepLindaSanchez) January 17, 2020
Today, I’m joining my Democratic colleagues in Brownsville TX and Matamoros MX, where we are crossing the border to witness the treatment and conditions of migrants under Trump’s #RemainInMexico with our own eyes, then touring @CBP’s #TentCourts. #DontLookAway #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/ry152TzXDJ
— Marcy Kaptur (@RepMarcyKaptur) January 17, 2020
@JulianCastro, @RepMarcyKaptur, @repbenraylujan & @RepBarragan still at border to demand answers why 6-y-o from El Salv.with Down syndrome and heart condition is being turned away at border. @CBP initially said no room but child has help waiting in Philly. #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/TFCbcDBxVB
— Nanette D. Barragán (@RepBarragan) January 17, 2020
Thousands of families are trapped in limbo at the Matamoros, Mexico refugee camp because of @realDonaldTrump's disastrous #RemainInMexico policy. No one should ever be subjected to these inhumane living conditions. No one. We are better than this. #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/jovxC3WhHY
— Rep. Norma Torres (@NormaJTorres) January 17, 2020
Just left the border.
We were able to get a young girl with a heart defect and Down’s Syndrome allowed into the United States with her family while their asylum claim is considered.
She had been denied yesterday. #DemsAtTheBorder
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) January 17, 2020
This president’s policies are cruel and inhumane. We CANNOT let this stand. #ForThePeople #DemsAtTheBorder https://t.co/AnFubMO2nF
— House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats) January 17, 2020
Today my colleagues join me in my hometown of Brownsville, TX. Currently, the #DemsAtTheBorder are hearing from advocates fighting everyday to combat the inhumane conditions @POTUS #RemainInMexico policy has caused. Later today they will witness that anguish firsthand. pic.twitter.com/K8Zy8jYCah
— US Rep. Filemon Vela (@RepFilemonVela) January 17, 2020
#DemsAtTheBorder are kicking off our delegation in Brownsville by meeting with @TXCivilRights, @ACLUTx, & @ABA_Immigration to discuss the impacts of #RemainInMexico & how we can work together to help immigrant families. pic.twitter.com/KR7UHZIyTE
— Hispanic Caucus (@HispanicCaucus) January 17, 2020
Asylum seekers deserve our attention and help.
We cannot turn a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis along our border — these are families suffering at the hands of President Trump’s policies. #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/U0TpKUhcvZ
— Ben Ray Luján (@repbenraylujan) January 17, 2020
Tune in now as #DemsAtTheBorder discuss their experiences meeting with asylum seekers trapped by #RemainInMexico in Matamoros, Mexico and witnessing @CBP’s #TentCourt operations in Brownsville, Texas. Watch live ⬇️https://t.co/7Cz4hAYEVf pic.twitter.com/LWhPivTJWy
— Hispanic Caucus (@HispanicCaucus) January 17, 2020
