Long-term Residency of Deported Mexicans: Over 40% Had Lived in the U.S. for More Than a Decade, According to a Survey
In a recent report, the Kino Border Initiative (KBI) sheds light on the experiences of 278 Mexican deportees who were detained in U.S. immigration facilities between May and July 2020.
The findings are alarming, with multiple testimonies of dangerous conditions including medical neglect, overcrowding, exposure to toxic smoke, and significant emotional trauma. The KBI urges U.S. lawmakers to publicly amplify the cases of community members, including DACA recipients, who have been detained by immigration authorities.
The survey conducted by the KBI revealed that 63% of the deportees were detained in Arizona, and 39.2% reported experiencing separation from family members. The report also suggests that a significant number of the Mexicans deported this year had been living in the U.S. for a considerable amount of time, with 44.4% having lived in the country for over 10 years.
Unfortunately, the story of Manny, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, resonates with many. Despite having no legal problems and not understanding why, Manny was deported. His case was fought by his family in the U.S., but to no avail. Manny was detained after hiring a contractor to do work at his home.
The report also highlights the case of Andrea, a 30-year-old woman from Oaxaca, who was deported after being detained while crossing into the U.S. Andrea lived in the U.S. since 2000 and is the mother of two U.S. citizen children. While held at a detention center in Florence, Arizona, she was a victim of sexual harassment.
The KBI recommends that allied organizations and individuals should speak with neighbours, family, friends, and acquaintances about the stories contained in the report to invite them to understand the way that their community members are being affected by immigration enforcement.
Deportations are driven both by local law enforcement collaboration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Nearly half of the deportations start with a regional or state law enforcement stop, while 33% are from direct ICE operations, usually in public areas such as the street and courthouse. More than a third of the deported individuals were detained elsewhere and transferred to Arizona for deportation.
Andrea fears what will happen to her now that she is back in Mexico, with no certainty that her ex-husband will not seek her or her children. The KBI's report underscores the need for urgent action to address the conditions in U.S. detention centres and to ensure the protection of the human rights of migrants and deportees.
However, it is concerning that no specific organizations conducting comprehensive surveys of Mexicans deported by the United States after Donald Trump took office in January 2017 are identified in the search results, nor are the survey results detailed. This lack of information hinders efforts to understand the full extent of the issues faced by deportees and to advocate for change.
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