~ by Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Service
A report by the Washington-based Refugees International organization charges U.S. immigration policy with [exacerbating] the spread of the coronavirus in Guatemala, as federal agencies in the U.S. and Mexico have repatriated infected Guatemalans through deportations.
In “Harmful Returns: The Compounded Vulnerabilities of Returned Guatemalans in the Time of COVID-19,” a report released on June 23, Refugees International urges that Guatemalans seeking refuge be allowed to apply for asylum in the U.S., instead of being turned over to Mexican authorities or repatriated, and that they be allowed to go with U.S. sponsors while they wait for their day in immigration court.
But U.S. policies such as the “Remain in Mexico” program, also called the Migrant Protection Protocols or MPP, which asks those seeking asylum in the U.S. to wait in Mexico until a U.S. immigration court can adjudicate their case, have led to the eventual return home of many Guatemalans and other Central Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, Guatemalan officials halted flights carrying deportees into the country, saying that at least 20% of its COVID-19 cases had resulted from deportees who contracted the virus in U.S. detention centers. Citing those figures, Refugees International said once they were returned to Guatemala, deportees tested positive for COVID-19, “despite having clean bill of health documents from the United States.”
And, once they return to Guatemala, they were met with stigma, lack of jobs and still facing dangerous conditions in addition to having contracted the virus, the group says.
“These measures force home many Guatemalans with valid refugee claims who are at risk of persecution upon return,” the group said. “Others have legitimate fears for their security and safety when they get home because returnees are at greater risk of becoming targets of violence and extortion.
“Once back, Guatemalans often struggle to reintegrate. They face unique challenges in earning a livelihood; and women, indigenous groups and children face particular barriers to accessing many basic public services. Also, healthcare is lacking, particularly for psychological or specialized services.”
The main concern is that people seeking refuge in the U.S., including children, are exposed to unsafe conditions during detention and then turned away or put in conditions that risk their health and their lives while in custody.
The organization has recommended testing prior to deportation as well as testing once the returnees arrive, saying a lack of such measures puts those deported and the general population at risk. Deported Guatemalans return only to face hunger, a stagnant economy, and restrictions on their movement.
In these challenging times of stay-at-home orders, Bethany House of Hospitality provides an essential service and so its staff continues to accompany the young women (and children) staying there. It is, after all, “home” for them and every effort is being made to keep them safe and healthy.
Poidatz said, “This is not a three-month thing or a six-month thing. This is a new normal.”
“There’s more pressure on women in so many ways, as women are so often the ones meeting the needs in families and communities,” Paramundayil said in an interview with Global Sisters Report.
about the situations of refugees around the world and the positive impact we can have through advocacy and support.
April 3, ICDI members (Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants) [met with] more than 60 of its volunteers and staff on Zoom. A major concern [of theirs] is the children in the shelter programs. Suggestions were offered for virtual visits, activities and religious celebrations for these children already traumatized by their plight, and now, isolated even more, with a slow down or cancellation of their court processes.
with them.
they sail along, the waves get rough and their boat is suddenly swamped by a huge wave. They survive the wave but anything they brought that could be ruined by water is now also gone. Then, a ray of hope…a ship is seen in the distance. Perhaps it can rescue them! But… it is a ship of pirates and they must give them any valuables they are carrying…or forfeit their lives.
Rep. Schakowsky is a passionate advocate for immigration reform as well. Her recent tweet read, “My parents came to the US to build a better future. It is the honor of my life to serve my community here in Congress. I want to tell every immigrant in this country today: you are welcome here and you are a valued part of our country.”
