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Migrant Justice Newsletter and Urgent Actions: April 2022

In recent weeks, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have apprehended more than 13,000 migrants a day, according to the New York Times. Most are caught and either expelled immediately or put into overcrowded detention centers to await their immigration hearings, a process that can take several years. As the Biden administration has announced that it will end the use of a public health proclamation known as Title 42, and has started plans to reform the U.S. asylum system, some expect that the numbers of people coming to the border will rise in the coming months. But this argument, currently often used by politicians opposing immigration and the end of Title 42, does not mean that overhauling the asylum system is a mistake. It shows that it is long overdue. Let us give you an overview of recent updates on U.S. immigration and what has been happening at the southern border!

Migrant Justice Newsletter and Urgent Actions: March 2022

Every day there are thousands of people apprehended at the US southern border. Most of them are caught by either Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and sent back or put in detention. It is hard to say which of these options is more dehumanizing: staying in an overcrowded, badly maintained detention center in the midst of a global health crisis for an infinite period of time, or being sent to Mexico–a  country you may never have stepped foot in before–to await your immigration court proceedings for an unspecified period of time. And while ICE reports show a significant drop in deportations and immigration arrest since Biden’s inauguration, this decrease in deportations is immediately offset by the over 1.7 million people who have been pushed back at the border and expelled under a racist public health regulation known as Title 42, that favors migrants from some countries and leaves behind those from others.

Migrant Justice Newsletter and Urgent Actions: February 2022

Every day there are thousands of people apprehended at the US southern border. Most of them are caught by either  Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and sent back or put in detention. It is hard to say which of these options is more dehumanizing: staying in an overcrowded, badly maintained detention center in the midst of a global health crisis for an infinite period of time, or being sent to Mexico–a country you may never have stepped foot in before–to await your immigration court proceedings for an unspecified period of time. And the Biden Administration? They have failed to keep their promises of President Biden’s first 100 days in office and have mostly been implementing measures so far that make conditions for migrants and asylum seekers even worse. 

Support Jordan's Journey to Nicaragua with ATC & IRTF

My name is Jordan Deskins, and I have been a part-time volunteer intern with the InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF) since May 2020. In the past year, I have focused on economic justice and labor rights. I am reaching out to you for help in sponsoring my summer volunteer internship with campesino/campesina families in Nicaragua with the ATC (Asociación de los Trabajadores del Campo/Rural Workers Association).

Trans and Gender-diverse Individuals in the Americas Part 5: Right to Health

The report analyzes the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of medical care to ensure the right to health. Trans and gender-diverse individuals often face discrimation and inadequate access and quality of care. The right to health is ensured by the state to have standards of care and inclusivity; however, many trans and gender-diverse people are excluded from the healthcare system.

Trans and Gender-diverse Individuals in the Americas Part 4: Right to Work

LGBTI individuals have increased rates of poverty, due in part to limited educational opportunities, but also workplace discrimination that has resulted in limited job opportunities. One of the key components of the right to work is to be able to choose employment freely and without restriction, however, discrimination often restricts this right to work for LGBTQI individuals. In Latin America, trans individuals are the most discriminated against for employment. In El Salvador, only about 5% of trans individuals are employed.

Trans and Gender-diverse Individuals in the Americas Part 3: Right to Education

The right to education has often overlooked trans and gender-diverse children because of social and cultural biases. The LGBTQI community has higher than average dropout rates due to social exclusion and institutionalized discrimination. The report focuses on three needs for the right to education: availability, acceptability, and adaptability to be comprehensive and inclusive. Curriculum standards have excluded LGBTQI history and culture, and have had long-term effects, particularly with substandard sexual education materials and reproductive health information.

Trans and Gender-diverse Individuals in the Americas: Sustainable Development Goals

To commemorate International Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Economic (OSRESCER) jointly published a report of trans and gender-diverse people in the Americas. Over the next several posts, we will be publishing some of the content from the 175-page comprehensive report that highlights the intersection of gender diversity with the rights outlined in the framework of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The first part of this series focuses on the intersection of LGBTQ rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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