Central America/Mexico Migration News Brief for July 29, 2016

?   LAWG Encouraged by USG Expanded Recognition of Central American Refugees, Urges More Policies to Address Humanitarian Crisis at Home and Abroad
Latin America Working Group, July 29, 2016
“LAWG is encouraged by the announcement made this week by the U.S. government to expand protection mechanisms for asylum seekers from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America….LAWG remains deeply concerned, however, by the lack of access to asylum and due process available to the families and children arriving at the U.S. border who would not be granted protections under the announcement as well as raids targeting and deporting these vulnerable populations since the beginning of this year.”

?   US Partners with Costa Rica to Protect Central American Refugees
Amanda Holpuch, The Guardian, July 26, 2016
“To address the needs of those who urgently need protection, the administration is partnering with Costa Rica, as well as the United Nations, which will help identify the most vulnerable people in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.”

?   U.S. Expands Initiatives to Address Migration Challenges
Office of the Spokesperson, Department of State, July 26, 2016
“Through coordination with UNHCR and IOM, the United States government will pre-screen vulnerable applicants from the region seeking protection... Additionally, for cases not requiring immediate transfer to Costa Rica, the United States is establishing an in-country referral program... The United States is also pleased to announce an expansion of our existing Central American Minors program...”
Leer en espa?ol aquí

?   U.S. to Admit More Central American Refugees
Julie Hirschfeld Davis, The New York Times, July 27, 2016
“The White House on Tuesday announced a substantial expansion of a program to admit Central American refugees to the United States, conceding that its efforts to protect migrants fleeing dangerous conditions has been inadequate and left too many vulnerable people with no recourse.”
Leer una versión en espa?ol: Estados Unidos expande el ‘deficiente’ programa de refugiados centroamericanos

?   Honduras Praises Expansion of U.S. Asylum Program for Central American Children
EFE, Fox News Latino, July 28, 2016
“Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez praised on Wednesday the expansion of the U.S. asylum program for Central American children, while urging Washington to address the ‘root of the problem.’... The Honduran leader emphasized the importance of the U.S.-sponsored Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle of Central America, which is aimed at confronting the violence and economic deprivation that lead families to send their children on the dangerous journey to the United States.”