Share
MEXICO CITY — The head of Mexico’s immigration agency said Monday that his country won’t accept migrants younger than 18 while they await the resolution of their U.S. asylum claims.
Mexican officials had previously said the United States expressed interest in extending the “remain in Mexico” policy to other border crossings. But Guillen said Mexico will accept only asylum seekers aged 18 to 60 at El Chaparral.
Mexico will accept migrants only from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, and will give them four-month visas.
Guillen said that since Dec. 1, Mexico has given 3,983 transit visas to Central Americans, most of whom hope to reach the United States. Mexico will also extend other work-visa programs to apply to more Mexican states and more Central American countries.
U.S. Sees Surge in Asylum Claims
The “remain in Mexico” program had been set to start last week with about 20 migrants returning to Tijuana.
U.S. authorities plan to bus asylum seekers back and forth to the border for court hearings in downtown San Diego, including an initial appearance within 45 days.
The U.S. has witnessed a surge in asylum claims, especially from Central American families. Due largely to a court-imposed 20-day limit on detaining children, families are typically released with a notice to appear in immigration court. With a backlog of more than 800,000 cases, it can take years to settle cases.
The new U.S. policy purportedly aims to reduce incentives for migrants to make asylum claims, on the belief they will be released and allowed to spend years in the United States even if their claims are eventually rejected.
Migrant activists fear the program will make it harder for asylum seekers to successfully argue their cases.
RELATED TOPICS:
Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?
42 minutes ago
Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving
1 hour ago
Federal Reserve Chief Says Trump Tariffs Likely to Raise Inflation and Slow US Economic Growth
1 hour ago
The NBA’s Playoff Chase Enters Its Final Days. Here’s a Look at What’s Happening
2 hours ago
USC’s JuJu Watkins Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Sophomore Season
2 hours ago
Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Lands on Injured List Following Fall in His Shower at Home
2 hours ago
How Trump’s Latest Tariffs Could Affect Your Wallet
2 hours ago
Curry Scores 37 Points and Warriors Beat Lakers in a Potential First-Round Playoff Preview
2 hours ago
Tulare County Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Eviction Attempt
2 minutes ago
Categories

Tulare County Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Eviction Attempt

Trump Just Bet the Farm

Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?

Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving
