Defending the rights of migrants and refugees has never been more urgent.
Around the world, we are witnessing an alarming escalation in the targeting of these vulnerable populations. This growing crisis is particularly evident in the recent actions of the United States government, which has taken increasingly aggressive measures against migrants and refugees.
Among the most disturbing developments is the expansion of immigration detention, including the use of Guantánamo for detaining migrants — an approach that is not only inhumane but also costly and unjust, furthering the risk of harm and abuse in an isolated location.
The dismantling of USAID, cuts to federal spending, withdrawal of funding from UN agencies, and the recent executive order suspending U.S. foreign assistance are also devastating blows, cutting off vital resources that support people in desperate need.
The consequences of the Trump administration’s actions are already severe and far-reaching: medicines are not being delivered, food is stuck at borders, and refugee camps are being left without doctors. Programs that protect the rights and wellbeing of migrant and refugee communities are severely affected.
For IDC, this means we have had to drastically reduce our Americas program. This work involves protecting migrant and refugee children in Mexico, where we have been supporting the government and working strategically with public authorities to enhance social and legal protections and rights for migrant children and their families. Now, that support has been abruptly stripped away, leaving children in vulnerable situations facing even more uncertain futures and their safety at potential risk.
Our program in the Americas is just one of many affected by these cuts. IDC will continue our broader work towards ending the immigration detention of all people and enhancing migrants’ rights everywhere, but across the world, organisations are being forced to scale back or close their doors entirely.
The impact cannot be underestimated. These cuts will lead to profound harm, increasing the vulnerability of migrants and refugees as the programs designed to protect their rights — and promote their participation in decisions that impact their lives — disappear.
This comes at a time when we are witnessing new lows in the treatment of refugees and migrants. The rhetoric from the U.S. administration is deeply concerning; even more alarming are its emerging immigration policies, both on a domestic and regional scale.
In addition to the rise in immigration detention, we are also seeing the expansion of US immigration enforcement policies central in political negotiations with countries in the region. Demands to facilitate US detention and deportation goals are being levied for economic support or leniency with Mexico and its Central American neighbours. We have also seen the deployment of Mexican military to the US border and the offer to receive migrants in El Salvadorian prisons.
Immigration detention is a failed policy that disregards logic, evidence and human rights in favour of ideological dogma. Meanwhile, people are being detained and prepared for deportation en masse, legal representation and access to justice is being removed, resettlement offers are being rescinded and children are facing the terrifying prospect of removal from their families. This is an extraordinarily dark moment for human rights and humanity as a whole.
Despite these challenges, IDC remains unwavering in our commitment to ending immigration detention and advocating for the rights of migrants and refugees. While IDC faces a reduction in our Americas activity and team, we continue our advocacy in Mexico, Central America, the United States and beyond. We refuse to be deterred — now more than ever, we stand resolute alongside the communities we serve.
With the strength of our members in 75 countries, the dedication of our funders, the expertise of our civil society partners and the invaluable contributions of individual supporters worldwide, we will continue our mission to ensure a future where no human being is subjected to immigration detention. These are dark times, but we stand firm in the belief that human rights have no borders.
