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Where are people supposed to go...now?

Thu, 04/30/2020 - 1:19pm by Tom

During March of this year, a community organization and shelter we work with in Tenosique, Tabasco in Southern Mexico, La Casa de Migrantes (La 72), received a mother and daughter who were traveling with a male adult. Months earlier, the family had fled Honduras to seek asylum in the United States. However, it was their misfortune to arrive in the United States as the border was being closed. The family was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol and immediately deported back into Mexico with no opportunity to seek asylum in the United States.

Nicaragua in times of coronavirus: Amazement and suspicion

Sat, 04/25/2020 - 6:31am by Tom

Below we share a reflection on COVID-19 in Nicaragua. The country has seen very few confirmed cases compared to other countries in the region. While opposition figures have simply said the government is lying about the numbers, this hardly explains the difference - which goes far beyond anything the government could actually hide if it wanted to. So understanding what is happening in Nicaragua is very important. 

Situation of shelters in the Franciscan Network on Migration during COVID-19

Fri, 04/10/2020 - 3:00pm by Tom

The Franciscan Network for Migrants (RFM) emerged in April 2018 during the annual Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation Course, held in Guadalajara, Mexico. During 2019, the Network took form, organized with four original houses for migrants belonging to the Order: La 72 (Mexico), The Migrant Center of New York (USA), Comedor para Migrantes San Francisco (Mexico) and Pilgrims’ house of the Migrant “Santo Hermano Pedro” (Guatemala). 

ICE detentions are way down this month. That is not all good news.

Thu, 04/09/2020 - 5:00pm by Tom

According to , on March 21 ICE was holding just over 38,000 people. On March 28 the number was down to 35,671; by April 4 the number was 33,863. Which means over the last two weeks the number of people in ICE detentions has fallen by 4,200, or just over 11%. As we, and many other people have been advocating releases, this seems like good news.

Mexico’s detention network is human rights disaster - and U.S. policy is making it worse

Tue, 04/07/2020 - 11:05am by Tom

At all times, and certainly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governments of Mexico and the U.S. must protect the rights of migrants. In the current context of a global pandemic, both governments must halt enforcement actions and deportations, and release people from detention facilities where their lives are endangered by overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

La 72, Franciscan Network on Migration and others, denounce Mexican immigration authorities after death in custody

Fri, 04/03/2020 - 4:05pm by Tom


Firefighters on the scene. Image/La 72

Héctor Rolando Barrientos Dardón died on Tuesday during a fire at the Tenosique Migration Station, an immigrant detention facility near Mexico’s border with Guatemala in the state of Tabasco. His death occurred during a protest by several men who were denouncing their ongoing detention in the overcrowded facility, a situation which puts their lives at risk in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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