INFORMATION FOR MIGRANTS IN TRANSIT

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump Trump issued ten executive orders and proclamations seeking to change U.S. immigration law and policy. The following summary focuses on changes that directly affect people traveling to the U.S. who do not have papers to enter and who are hoping to gain entry.

· The use of the CBP One app to make asylum appointments at ports of entry has been eliminated. The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has now disabled the CBP One app’s ability to set asylum appointments and thousands of pending appointments have been cancelled.

· At this time, the executive actions bar anyone without legal status from presenting themselves to seek protection at the U.S./Mexico border. The asylum ban is in place immediately as of January 21, 2025.

· DHS and the State Department are to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (“Remain in Mexico”) policy “as soon as practicable.” (“Securing Our Borders”). The U.S. government announced that it was reimplementing the Remain in Mexico program on January 21. The details about how the program will operate remain unclear.

· The administration plans to resume, and accelerate, the removal of asylum-seekers to “third countries.” The State Department will begin negotiations with other countries to accept U.S. deportations of asylum seekers under “Safe Third Country” agreements.

· A “national emergency” has been declared permitting the Department of Defense to redirect military funds for border enforcement, including construction of permanent and temporary border barriers and expanding thecapacity of detention centers. The Department of Defense has announced plans to deploy up to 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S./Mexico border. The Acting Secretary of DHS announced on January 23, 2025 that he is requesting assistance from state or local governments to participate in border enforcement.

To access a full summary and analysis of these orders and proclamations click HERE.

For pregnant women:

Midwife support Map (from PAM)

Brochure of Shelters in Mexico

Below is a brochure created by the MANOS team with information about shelters in Mexico that accept migrating people crossing through Mexico. There are other maps (included here in a lower section) that contain information about all the shelters in Mexico. However, some shelters do not accept migrants in transit. For example, some only accept individuals who are seeking asylum in Mexico. Also, due to the number of people crossing through Mexico, many shelters are full. It is highly recommended to call first to check for availability and to find out if they accept migrants in transit. The brochure in this section only contains information about shelters that accept migrants in transit.

Link to brochure

ADVICE:

Remember, regardless of your nationality, you have the right to seek asylum or refuge in the United States and in Mexico if you fear returning to your country.
Take photos of all your important documents and send them to your email to always have copies.
Only use trustworthy information and avoid rumors.
Remember that crossing the US border undocumented carries the risk of being detained and separated from your family.

OTHER RESOURCES IN MEXICO

National

Map of houses for migrants, shelters, and Food distributors in the main migration routes through Mexico, 2020 | BBVA Research

Here you can find a map with information about a route for migrants in transit and where they can find a shelter.

Map of Resources in Mexico and Central america

The information on this map is organized with a legend where you can find information about FREE SERVICES, CLIMATES, and ROUTES.

Medical resources at the Border

Here you can find information about the doctors in Tijuana, Rosarito, Tecate, Mexicali, Nogales, Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Acuña, Piedras Negras, Matamoros (places on the northern border of Mexico). Most of the doctors are either free or low-cost.

Oaxaca

MANOS (City of Oaxaca)

MANOS is a non-profit civil association led by women, providing free legal services to refugees, migrants, and relatives of missing migrants. Additionally, they develop educational projects to promote an informed and humanitarian understanding of the migration phenomenon within civil society.

Baja california

Al Otro Lado (Tijuana)

Here you will find information about Free Doctors, Shelters, and Dining places in Tijuana.

Espacio Migrante (Tijuana)

Espacio Migrante is an organization in Tijuana that supports migrants with health services, education, and family shelter. Additionally, it promotes cultural integration and raises awareness about the challenges faced by migrants.

Mexico City

Services for Refugees and Migrants CDMX

In this list of resources, you will find information about different places in Mexico City that assist migrants in transit. The resource list includes information about shelters, dining places (with a fixed price of 10 pesos), human rights and health support, resources for children, and resources for individuals who have experienced sexual violence.

Casa Refugiados

The Casa Refugiados Program is a non-profit organization in Mexico that works with refugees, asylum seekers, displaced persons, and migrants. Their mission is to promote their rights and support their integration into society through respectful and supportive environments, based on a culture of peace and respect for human rights. They work in collaboration with UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency).

Servicio JesuServicio Jesuita a Migrantes Méxicoita a Migrantes

A non-governmental, humanitarian, non-profit organization that seeks to reduce the vulnerability of people in situations of forced migration as they pass through Mexico.

Jalisco

FM4 Paso Libre (Guadalajara)

They work with various social actors, including governments, international organizations, NGOs, local communities, and other relevant groups, to advocate for policies and actions that promote dignified and empathetic treatment of people in situations of human mobility.

Nuevo leon

Paso de Esperanza (Monterrey)

This organization focuses on providing comprehensive accompaniment and co-management to the individuals it supports. Its approach is to guide and focus attention on each individual and manage cases in a personalized and effective manner. Its main areas of focus are Human Rights, Gender, Interculturality, and Intersectionality.

Sonora

Kino Border Initiative (Nogales)

The Kino Border Initiative is dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance, protecting the rights of migrants, raising public awareness about migration, and advocating for more just and humane policies at the border between Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.

Centro Comunitario de Ayuda de Migrantes (Caborca)

This volunteer organization works to meet various social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the most vulnerable members of the Caborca community, providing practical, emotional, and spiritual support to improve their quality of life and foster a sense of solidarity and community.

Centro de Atención al Migrante Exodus (CAME)

The CAME Project highlights the cultural diversity and experiences of migrants at the border through a documentary, a photographic exhibition, an audiovisual archive, and murals. Its objective is to raise social awareness and promote respect for the human dignity of migrants.

Tamaulipas

Instituto Tamaulipeco Para Los Migrantes

The Tamaulipas Institute for Migrants is a governmental organization in the state of Tamaulipas that is responsible for assisting and supporting both Tamaulipas migrants residing abroad and national or foreign migrants entering, transiting, or returning through the state. Its objective is to integrate, assist, and address the needs of these groups, regardless of their migratory status, nationality, or gender.

RESOURCES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE UNITED STATES

General resources

National Immigration Legal Services Directory (Free or low-cost)

This website provides a directory of non-profit organizations that offer free or low-cost immigration legal services. Users can search for these services based on their location, including by state, county, or detention center. The directory only includes organizations that provide assistance without charging high fees. If users have any questions, they can refer to the frequently asked questions section or contact the website administrators via email at directory@immigrationadvocates.org..

Texas

RAICES

This website represents RAICES, an organization established in 1986 to support immigrant families in the United States. Originally founded in San Antonio, Texas, RAICES has become a nationally recognized advocate for immigrant rights. They provide legal and social services to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have access to support. RAICES fights against unfair immigration policies and aims to create a more welcoming and inclusive nation where families can thrive.

Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center

Las Américas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in El Paso, Texas, that provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrants and refugees in West Texas, New Mexico, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

Texas Civil Rights Project

“We remain committed to representing historically marginalized groups in Texas, including immigrants, people of color, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and others. We use the law to protect against abuse, discrimination, and other injustices, holding the powerful accountable. We are rooted in Texas, free from national bureaucracies, focused on promoting equality and justice in our community.”

Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley

Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley is the charitable arm of the Diocese of Brownsville. Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has projects that assist the poor and the most vulnerable populations in our community. It is part of the broader family of Catholic Charities USA and Caritas Internationalis.

Arizona

The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project

The Florence Project provides free legal services, social services, and advocacy to immigrants facing detention and potential deportation.

Asylum Program of Arizona

The Arizona Asylum Program (APA) assists immigrants fleeing torture and other forms of persecution in obtaining legal representation for their immigration cases if they cannot afford an attorney.

University of Arizona, Immigration Law Clinic

The University of Arizona Immigration Law Clinic provides legal services and counseling to detained immigrants, unrepresented respondents with cases in Immigration Court, and others who may qualify for immigration benefits.

California

Al Otro Lado (San Diego)

Al Otro Lado provides comprehensive legal and humanitarian support to refugees, deportees, and other migrants in the United States and Tijuana through a client-centered, multidisciplinary practice based on harm reduction.

San Diego Rapid Response Network

The San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) is a coalition of human rights organizations, service providers, lawyers, and community leaders dedicated to assisting immigrants and their families in the San Diego border region.

San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium has several partners providing immigration services throughout San Diego County. These partners offer services including education on different forms of relief, individual consultations, deportation defense, and assistance with applications.

Southern California Immigration Project (San Diego)

The Southern California Immigration Project is a nonprofit organization focused on public interest, dedicated to offering pro bono legal services to survivors of human and civil rights violations.

International Rescue Committee (San Diego)

The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, torture survivors, and other immigrants to thrive in the United States.

California Asylum Representation Clinic (Berkeley)

The main mission of CARC is to help guide and represent asylum seekers. CARC aims to create a community of law students passionate about working with asylum seekers while assisting clients during their asylum cases.