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Migrant Protection Protocols Operation

Description

At the beginning of 2021, the US government ended the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program, through which asylum seekers in the United States had to wait in Mexico for the resolution of their cases, with instructions to return to US territory to attend the hearings. In the period between February 19 and August 24, IOM Mexico, in coordination with other agencies of the United Nations System, Mexican and US authorities, and civil society organizations, provided assistance to more than 13,000 migrants under the MPP by facilitating their entry into the United States so that their cases could be processed in that territory. IOM Mexico's accompaniment consisted of receiving migrants at six designated ports of entry along the border; their preparation in accordance with the health measures agreed with the US government, including the application of tests for the detection of COVID-19, compliance with isolation or quarantine protocols if necessary, and transfer to border crossings. In some cases, IOM also provided support to extremely vulnerable migrants for transportation from other cities in Mexico to ports of entry.

Main Actions
  • Pre-border crossing preparation

  • Transfer of beneficiaries to border crossings

  • Monitoring and reporting of the operation

Beneficiaries
  • Returned migrants seeking asylum in the United States, at the moment located in Mexico under the Migrant Protection Protocols. 
Location
Mexico