McAllen, Texas (Border Report) — In a report unveiled on Thursday by the Migration Policy Institute, comprehensive recommendations for reforming the U.S. immigration system were highlighted, with a focus beyond just addressing issues at the Southwest border.
Entitled “Shifting Realities at the U.S.-Mexico Border: Immigration Enforcement and Control in a Fast-Evolving Landscape,” the report examines factors that have strained the U.S. border management system and proposes measures to establish a more effective system. Key recommendations include:
Setting up multi-agency border processing centers, where federal officials collaborate with non-governmental organizations, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Office of Resettlement officers processing asylum-seekers alongside certified NGOs and legal service providers.
Creating a federal mechanism to direct migrants to interior destinations with available services and capacity, such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, prevents cities like New York and Denver from being overwhelmed by asylum-seeking migrants.
Investing in technology and personnel for federal agencies.
Collaborating with Mexico to enhance enforcement and border cooperation efforts, ensuring humane housing for migrants awaiting asylum appointments on the CBP One app, and aiding Mexico in improving its immigration systems to encourage migrants to stay south of the border.
Developing refugee processing and resettlement programs within the Western Hemisphere.
Analysts Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, and Doris Meissner underscore the strain on the U.S. border enforcement system, emphasizing that it is not designed for the volume and diversity of migrant arrivals. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, during a visit to Eagle Pass, Texas, mentioned the establishment of Safe Mobility Offices in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Ecuador to assist migrants.
The report acknowledges the Biden administration’s efforts to adapt to the evolving situation but emphasizes the need for substantial resource investments in various agencies involved in migrant processing. It stresses the importance of shared responsibility and collaboration, particularly with countries like Mexico and Panama, as irregular migration continues to rise throughout the Western Hemisphere. Mayorkas highlighted ongoing talks with Mexican officials and recent discussions with Panama’s minister of security to address migration challenges collaboratively.
Source: Cenlanow
