Border Update from Jesuit Refugee Service

Coalition member Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA), in conjunction with JRS Mexico, just released “Accompaniment at the US-Mexico Border,” a report on the conditions at the US-Mexico Border.

Download the report in English or Spanish.  

“In accompanying those seeking asylum at the border, we bear witness to the inhumane treatment they endure every day.” said Joan Rosenhauer, President of JRS/USA. “We must enact policies that provide pathways to safety and security instead of the current system that perpetuates danger to those forced to flee home.” 

In this report, with information sourced from interviews and visits to shelters in Ciudad Juárez and El Paso in summer 2023, JRS/USA and JRS Mexico present a snapshot of current conditions and how US policies adversely impact protection, mental health, and public health challenges. 

The report reviews border conditions in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and El Paso, Texas where the binational response of JRS provides a humanitarian response to people on their journey. By providing accompaniment and using a holistic approach, JRS Mexico and JRS/USA are able to create safe spaces where basic physical and emotional needs are addressed. 

The realities of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez are different. For, instance, the March 2023 fire at the migrant center in Ciudad Juárez causes fear among migrants for their safety. Ciudad Juárez has no regulations for shelters, limited shelter capacity, which is creating a situation where many migrants are living in the streets. In contrast, El Paso has a network of shelters run by churches and other faith-based organizations which provide respite and resources for newly arrived migrants.

In both cities, JRS provides group and indiviual sessions to address the emotional challenges many migrants face due to their dangerous journeys and the long waiting periods. Migrants also receive resources to address various issues, and volunteers in both countries work with JRS to accompany the migrants.

The report ties together individual experiences of people seeking asylum with direct recommendations for policymakers that address issues with the CBP One App. 

“Impractical and restrictive laws required use of the CBP One App, and limited funding for critical services are just some of the challenges asylum seekers face at the US-Mexico border,” said Giulia McPherson, JRS/USA’s Vice President of Advocacy and Operations. “We need our policymakers to enact reforms that provide access to regular, safe, and orderly migration.”