On Thursday 18 July, MEPs called on the US government to change its policy towards migrants, expressing concern about the situation on the border between the United States and Mexico.
The joint resolution of the Greens/EFA, S&D and Renew Europe groups, which they adopted by 330 votes in favour, 252 against and 55 abstentions, stresses that “border management measures must respect the United States' international human rights obligations and should not be based on policies strictly aimed at the early detection, retention and expulsion of irregular migrants”.
MEPs therefore call on the US authorities to review current migration policies and practices that violate international human rights law, including the fundamental right to seek asylum, the principle of non-refoulement and the right to human dignity.
The European Parliament is concerned about conditions in detention centres and family separation, which, “under the current US administration”, “appears to be a tool of immigration policy aimed at discouraging people seeking security” and calls for an end to it. Some 8,000 families were reportedly separated between 2017 and August 2018 after crossing the border.
MEPs also call on the government to urgently find non-custodial solutions for migrants and asylum seekers.
They also express their deep concern about the operations launched in recent days by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest undocumented migrants, believing that these methods have the effect of equating them with criminals.
Parliament also calls on the Mexican government to comply with international standards and human rights legislation when it comes to fighting migration.
A UN fact-finding mission should be carried out to investigate the human rights situation at the border, the Parliament proposes. According to the International Organization for Migration, 197 people have died since the beginning of the year trying to enter the United States from Mexico. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)