Change in Mexican Law Affects U.S. Border Policy Towards Asylum Seekers

File this under how did I miss that news?

Apparently, back in NOVEMBER 2020, Mexico passed a law prohibiting the detention of immigrant children and families. (I can’t find the actual law — msg. me with a link if you’ve got it!)

WaPo and the NYT this week reported on the ripple effect the change in Mexican law is having on the United States: The U.S. has been unable to rebuff family units of asylum seekers under the coronavirus protocols put in place under President Trump. Instead, family units have been released into the United States (presumably, though the articles do not explain, with instructions to appear in court to challenge their eligibility for asylum).

This is mainly affecting the South Texas area, though the reporting is unclear on why the geography matters. WaPo states simply that “Mexico’s new policy has been applied unevenly.”

Apparently the reason this is just making the news now is that the law, while passed in November, did not go into effect until January.

-KitJ