Migrants with Mexican work permits feel impact of asylum process

An estimated of fifteen-thousand migrants left Central America in January, now arriving at shelters in San Luis, Rio Colorado.

More Central Americans from the second wave of the migrant caravan have started arriving in San Luis, Mexico. And some of them have been granted work permits by the Mexican government, but immigration attorney, Ray Ybarra said this could set back their cases.

“On the asylum fear aspect, they could still lose it on relocation because the U.S. government can say Mexico gave you a work permit and you can’t prove that you’ll be in harm in Mexico,” said Ybarra

And because of this, it can also slow down their asylum case.

“When someone crosses through the border and expresses fear they are supposed to be given a reasonable interview based if they have been deported in the past or not,” said Ybarra

The asylum process is composed of 3 main criteria; the interview process, the credible fear test, and relocation. Migrants with work permits might pass the first two stages but could hit a roadblock when it comes to the relocation.

“When you see the immigration judge that’s when all the other factors play into a role as well where they can come out and say your fear is credible but Mexico gives you a permit so we can order you removed back to Mexico,” said Ybarra.