At Least 39 Migrant Lives Lost in Ciudad Juárez and Dozens More Injured As a Result of Biden Administration’s and Lopez Obrador’s Failed Deterrence Policies

For Immediate Release: March 28, 2023

CUIDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO —Last night, 39 migrants died, and 29 were injured in a fire at a immigrant detention center in Ciudad Juárez. The facility was hosting at least 68 men from Central and South America waiting to seek protection in the United States after multiple raids were conducted around the city.

Marisa Limón Garza, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center’s Executive Director in El Paso, Texas, said:

“We are angry, but we are also tired. Angry and tired at having to make yet another statement in order to convince those in power on both sides of the border that it is unacceptable and inhumane to rest the weight of politics on the shoulders of those looking for safety at our borders. This is another horrific tragedy resulting from punitive and racist enforcement and border deterrence policies that have only resulted in hundreds of migrant deaths. 

“The Biden administration cannot continue to ignore the hundreds of thousands of migrants who are still stranded in border cities like Ciudad Juárez and to negotiate bilateral agreements as a means of sidestepping U.S. asylum obligations. We demand all relevant branches of government  do their part to restore access to asylum and introduce solutions that will provide legal pathways for people to seek safety. How many more lives must we lose for this to be a priority? Not one more.”

Gabriela Muñoz Cano, Las Americas’ Mexico Project Manager/Co-Director in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico said:

“This is not the first time Ciudad Juárez and border communities have witnessed a tragedy of this kind. These deaths were the direct consequences of inhumane policies that result in vulnerable people forced to flee for their lives without a safe and orderly way to reach safety. For more than 5 years, we have sounded the alarm about the need for legal pathways for people seeking protection in this region. We’re talking about mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and thousands of children who are simply looking for a chance at a better life. Where is the fair and humane immigration system we were promised? 

“Instead of locking up and punishing families who are fleeing dangers and violence, we can do the right thing by abiding by our legal obligations under U.S. and international law and welcoming people seeking safety. To do that, we need the Biden administration to restore full access to asylum now. Further, we urge the Mexican government to take action against human rights violations within its law enforcement agencies and to stop all agreements allowing for asylum seekers to be returned to Mexico without proper screening. Enough is enough.”