[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.