The United States and Mexico

Introduction

The border between the United States and Mexico is effectively shut down because of the coronavirus– even children are blocked from seeking asylum. Instead, they live in overpacked tent cities on the border between the United States and Mexico, with improper healthcare and sanitary recourses. While there have not been any reported cases of the coronavirus in these communities, they are ticking time bombs.

Photo Gallery

Migrants queue for water at an encampment of more than 2,000 migrants seeking asylum in the US, as local authorities prepare to respond to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Matamoros, Mexico. (Daniel Becerril, March 20, 2020) Reuters.
Migrants queue for water at an encampment of more than 2,000 migrants seeking asylum in the US, as local authorities prepare to respond to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Matamoros, Mexico. (Daniel Becerril, March 20, 2020) Reuters.
Dr. Dairon Elisondo Rojas is in the unique position of being both an asylum seeker and an aid provider. (Christopher Lee, April 12, 2020) The New York Times.
Dr. Dairon Elisondo Rojas is in the unique position of being both an asylum seeker and an aid provider. (Christopher Lee, April 12, 2020) The New York Times.
Migrants wait in line for food distribution at the Matamoros camp on March 19. Food was previously given out in a centralized tent but is now distributed at separate locations in the camp to prevent large gatherings. (Ivan Flores, March 19th, 2020) Foreign Policy.
Migrants wait in line for food distribution at the Matamoros camp on March 19. Food was previously given out in a centralized tent but is now distributed at separate locations in the camp to prevent large gatherings. (Ivan Flores, March 19th, 2020) Foreign Policy.
Children wash their hands at a makeshift station in Matamoros on March 19. (Ivan Flores, March 19th, 2020) Foreign Policy.
Children wash their hands at a makeshift station in Matamoros on March 19. (Ivan Flores, March 19th, 2020) Foreign Policy.
A girl runs past a series of signs explaining how the coronavirus spreads at the Matamoros refugee camp on March 19. (Ivan Flores, March 19th, 2020) Foreign Policy.
A girl runs past a series of signs explaining how the coronavirus spreads at the Matamoros refugee camp on March 19. (Ivan Flores, March 19th, 2020) Foreign Policy.
Tania Bonilla, left, a Honduran migrant seeking asylum in the United States, held her son Eric as another family left immigration offices in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. (Daniel Berehulak, March 21st, 2020) The New York Times.
Tania Bonilla, left, a Honduran migrant seeking asylum in the United States, held her son Eric as another family left immigration offices in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. (Daniel Berehulak, March 21st, 2020) The New York Times.

Key Articles