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March 18, 2020  |  By RCM Admin En News, Press Release

Interior Repatriation Initiative: 90-Day Update from Guadalajara

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[Guadalajara, Jal. March 18, 2020] The Interior Repatriation Initiative (IRI), which the United States and Mexico resumed at the end of 2019, allows the United States to deport Mexican nationals to the Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport of Guadalajara in Western Mexico. The first 2019 repatriation flight of 132 Mexican nationals departed Tucson International Airport on December 19. Since then, Guadalajara has received more than 2,200 Mexicans caught by U.S. border patrol between Southern California and the Arizona/New Mexico state line.

Before the re-initiation of IRI, Mexicans caught along this part of the U.S. border were typically deported, within hours of their arrest, to Mexicali or Nogales. Now CBP detains them for sometimes more than a week in order to ensure that ICE flights to Guadalajara are full.

In interviews with migrants deported through the IRI program, The Rhizome Center for Migrants has identified U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) practices that violate the basic rights of detainees, who are often treated substantially worse than prisoners. Some migrants we interviewed reported that they were held in cells so crowded that they had only 1 sq ft of space for themselves. Women sometimes slept inside the toilet area due to overcrowded conditions. Many migrants reported that they did not receive toothpaste after the first use and that they had to wait days before being provided a shower.

Those who have to travel longer distances to reach the Tucson airport are chained in full prison transportation restraint devices at the wrists, waist, and ankles the night before their flight. This kind of restraining system limits free movement and makes it extremely difficult to eat, sleep, walk, or use the restroom. One man reported that he was chained this way for over 12 hours before he landed in Guadalajara. When the cuffs are put on too tightly, migrants arriving in Guadalajara have marks around their ankles and wrists and still feel pain for hours after the cuffs are taken off.

The Rhizome Center for Migrants interviews Mexican nationals deported through the IRI program to identify whether an abuse has occurred and files complaints on behalf of those who have suffered a violation of their rights while in U.S. custody. The Rhizome Center for Migrants further assists families traveling together at the time of arrest to locate their loved ones—spouses, siblings, cousins—who have not been released by CBP and may have been transferred to ICE, ERO, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the United States Marshals Service, or another agency.

COVID-19 Update
Irregardless of the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19, IRI remains in place. As of today, ICE Air has not suspended its removal operations, and the Mexican government continues to receive Mexicans deported by air from the United States, and transport them to their home states. This past Monday, another scheduled deportation flight arrived in Guadalajara. 115 Mexicans were on board.

abuses border patrol deportation detention Mexican migrants repatriation
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The Rhizome Center for Migrants

The Rhizome Center for Migrants

In a world that seeks to erase your existence, you are not invisible to us. To all those who proudly assert their identity during #chicanofest, and who continue to fight for a place in this world, we see you and we are with you. Our favorite photo from yesterday's events with the binational community in Guadalajara is the photo of Senator Karina Ruíz with el rapero chicano Sonik 4:20, up and coming rapera Luna Fortuna—she blew us away!—and drug addiction counselor and founder of Guanatos G.D.L.S.U.R. and Chicano Fest, Roberto Hernández. Thank you for you vision, hard work, and love, Robert, and to the senadora del migrante for traveling to Guadalajara to spend #5demayo with us!@karina_migrante@chicanxs_sin_fronteras @matt_sedillo @caminantasred @fm4pasolibre @coincide.iteso @suerteverde11 @sonik420_oficial @lunafortunamx Galo Canote

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The Rhizome Center for Migrants
is at Casa Talavera.
The Rhizome Center for Migrants

"We are not here because the government has a commitment to us. We are here because we need this for us."We are so grateful to have been invited to this electrifying convening of formerly incarcerated, immigration system-impacted, and prison reform activists. During the 3-day event organized by @theundergroundscholars and @incarcerationnations, actors from both the United States and Mexico convened in Mexico City to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the PESCER program, @cc_uacm's college-in-prison program. A prison that can convert itself into a classroom becomes a refuge—a place of resistance and imagination. The convening marked the need to rethink the modern prison system, and promote reentry service support in Mexico and the integration of deported people into higher education systems. Our hats off to Danny Murillo, Rick Zepeda, and Dr. Baz Dreisinger for your vision and love, and to all those who never lost hope.

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The Rhizome Center for Migrants

The Rhizome Center for Migrants

While in Guatemala, we met with deported veteran, Sergio Andrade, whose family arrived in the United States at the start of the Guatemalan Civil War. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army and honorably served from 1977-1980. Like hundreds of other immigrant veterans who put their lives on the line for the American people, the United States not only failed to naturalize him but later dishonorably deported him to the country his family fled. Cast away in 2002, he has struggled to survive—witnessing or directly experiencing armed violence dozens of times. Now in his late 60s, his health is declining and he is far away from the physical and emotional support of his surviving family members and any VA facility. His harrowing story of courage and endurance is preserved as part of the digital archive of @deportedveteransdiasporamural in Tijuana and was first told by roaming activist and brother in arms @nick_paz in 2022. After hearing Sergio's story in person, The Rhizome Center for Migrants is committed to ensuring he receives the benefits he earned as a veteran of the United States, and his safe passage back to his family and country.No #veteran should ever be exiled from the United States. Join the movement: defendourvets.com/ #hr4569

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About

The Rhizome Center for Migrants is an independent, secular 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our Mexico Project, based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, supports deported and returned migrants through legal aid and reintegration services.

 

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The Rhizome Center for Migrants is an independent, secular 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our Mexico Project, based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, supports deported and returned migrants through legal aid and reintegration services.

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