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Biden to open immigrant processing centers in Guatemala and Colombia

A few days before the end of Title 42, Alejandro Mayorkas assured that they will seek to "reduce illegal immigration and facilitate secure pathways" to the United States.

Immigrants at the border

(Crodon Press)

Published by
Alejandro Baños

The Biden Administration has announced that it will open Regional Processing Centers (RPCs) for immigrants in Latin America now that the end of Title 42 is approaching. According to the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas, these centers will be located in Guatemala and Colombia, two countries from which many of the immigrants arriving in the United States originate.

Through a press release, Mayorkas confirmed the opening of these processing centers with the objective of "reducing illegal immigration and facilitating safe, orderly, humane and legal pathways from Hispanic American countries." In addition, the DHS Secretary assured that Joe Biden has reached an agreement with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and with the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, to receive immigrants in their countries:

The first centers will be established in several countries, including Colombia and Guatemala, in the region. Individuals from the region will be able to make an appointment on their phone to visit the nearest RPC before traveling, receive an interview with immigration specialists, and if eligible, be processed rapidly for lawful pathways to the United States, Canada, and Spain..

In addition, Mayorkas announced that "an aggressive anti-smuggling campaign will be launched targeting criminal networks along the Darien route," "removals of those who do not have a legal basis to stay will be increased" and "disinformation about smuggling will be combated."

On May 11, Title 42 will cease to be valid. This emergency public health measure implemented by the Trump Administration in 2020 was created to expel immigrants in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus. With the completion of Title 42, the arrival of aliens at the border will skyrocket.

This is how the Regional Processing Centers work

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will manage the Regional Processing Centers to be opened in Colombia and Guatemala. These two international organizations will carry out the pertinent evaluations of the immigrants requesting asylum to determine whether they meet the requirements demanded by the U.S. authorities.

Once the UNHCR or IOM approves each case, asylum seekers will be able to access the United States, Canada or Spain through legal channels. Mayorkas stated that they expect the RPCs to process between 5,000 and 6,000 immigrants each day.

Petro: "Processes will be processed in a legal and orderly manner"

During his official visit to the United States last week, Gustavo Petro agreed with Joe Biden on the creation of Regional Processing Centers in Colombia. After confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security, the former guerrilla of the terrorist group Movimiento 19 de Abril said that they will serve "to process family reunification and emigration of Colombians to the U.S. in an orderly and legal manner."

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