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| Asylum seekers in Mexico. Photo: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./Texas Tribune |
Lind was referring to the administration’s Migrant
Protection Protocols (MPP) program, also known as “Remain in Mexico.” After a
slow start near the beginning of the year, MPP has now forced some 60,000
asylum seekers into Mexico to wait for their claims to be processed—more
than the total number of immigrants the U.S. is holding in immigration
detention. MPP is one of the most significant of the administration’s
efforts to end
the asylum system that the U.S. created in 1980.
Lind is right: MPP has failed to spark
the level of outrage that met the family separation policy in June 2018.
There are various reasons for this, including the program’s initially slow
rollout and the political class’s focus since September on the Ukraine crisis,
but there are hopeful signs, especially in the corporate media. The past few
weeks have brought a number of powerful articles on the subject, along with
op-eds, opinion columns, a report from Sen. Jeff Merkley’s office, and an
hour-long presentation on NPR’s This American Life. Some of this
coverage is listed below.
So what can we do to bring more attention to this ongoing
atrocity?
The recent media reports can be a useful tool in reaching
out to activists. MPP is actually the biggest and cruelest of the Trump administration’s
many attacks on migrants: protests would be inevitable if more people
understood this. Influential politicians could also help. Sen.
Merkley and Rep. Nanette
Barrgan have brought attention to the issue: imagine the impact if Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—who are both on the record
opposing the program—sent out a few tweets highlighting the horrors of MPP.
Recent Articles and Other Reports on MPP/“Remain in Mexico”:
“In scathing manifesto, an asylum officer blasts Trump’s
cruelty to migrants,” Washington Post, November 12, 2019:
“Merkley Releases Sweeping Report on Trump’s Gutting of
Asylum, Including Direct Evidence of Grave Whistleblower Concerns,” Senator
Merkley press release, November 14, 2019:
“Tents, stench, smoke: Health risks are gripping migrant
camp,” AP, November 14, 2019:
“US Border Officials Pressured Asylum Officers To Deny Entry
To Immigrants Seeking Protection, A Report Finds,” BuzzFeed News,
November 15, 2019:
“The Out Crowd,” This American Life, November 15,
2019:
“Asylum officers rebel against Trump policies they say are
immoral and illegal,” Los Angeles Times, November 15, 2019:
“Migrants stuck in lawless limbo within sight of America,”
AP, November 17, 2019:
“‘Remain in Mexico’ policy faces internal critiques at House
hearing,” Roll Call, November 19, 2019:
“My city used to welcome refugees. ‘Remain in Mexico’ means
we can’t anymore.” Washington Post, November 19, 2019:
“In squalid Mexico tent city, asylum seekers are growing so
desperate they’re sending their children over the border alone,” Washington
Post, November 22, 2019:
“At Migrant Camp in Mexico, Crowds and Complaints Swell,” Wall
Street Journal, November 23, 2019:
“Desperate Asylum-Seekers Stuck In Mexico Are Sending Their
Children Across The US Border Alone,” BuzzFeed News, November 25, 2019:
“For Migrants In Nuevo Laredo, ‘Remain In Mexico’ Means
Remain In Danger,” Texas Public Radio, November 27, 2019:
“Immigrants Sent Back To Mexico Are Not Getting Adequate
Health Care, And Doctors Are Worried,” BuzzFeed News, November 27, 2019:
“New from the Mother Jones Podcast: Trump Is Winning His
Border Wars. For Now.” Mother Jones, November 27, 2019:
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