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Welcome and Protect: World Refugee Day Expert Panel

Shruti Nallappa, Fellow at GCE-US, 

On June 18, 2020, Jesuit Refugee Services/USA, Refugees International, Jesuit Refugee Services/Mexico, and Kino Border Initiative came together to discuss the current situation on the US-Mexico border, the impact of these policies on the asylum seekers in Mexico, and what can be done in order to ensure the U.S. asylum system stays intact in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has declared that as of this year, the world is seeing record-high rates of displacement, with almost 80 million forcibly displaced around the world. In reality, the United States stands as one of the largest recipients of cases appealing for asylum while current US policies are looking to ensure the opposite. In January 2019, the US government announced a policy known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), or “Remain in Mexico,” which forces asylum seekers arriving at ports of entry on the US-Mexico border to return to Mexico to wait while their claim is processed.  

This year’s World Refugee Day has brought attention to issues that have arisen as a result of COVID-19, global inequalities, and those that already existed. While the world battles the pandemic, migrants at the US-Mexico border await a better opportunity at life, and policies continue to find ways to work against migrants. As advocates, we must use our voices to fight for human rights for all -- and ensure that vulnerable populations have their needs met.  

For more information and to watch this event, see here: https://www.facebook.com/jrsusa/videos/1364863500570665/ 

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