US diplomat warns of great consequences for migrants at border who don’t choose legal pathways

MEXICO CITY (AP) — U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar warned Thursday that migrants who do not opt for a legal pathway into the U.S. will face great consequences, a message coming at a time when the Biden administration needs Mexico’s cooperation in easing the flow of migrants to their shared border. Salazar told reporters that the number of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border has dropped since U.S. President Joe Biden implemented changes last week aimed at making it more difficult for those seeking asylum. But he did not specify by how much the number of migrant encounters had dropped. “If they don’t arrive in a legal manner, there will be consequences,” he said. “They will be returned to their home countries and will not be allowed into the United States for five years.” Biden’s executive order would limit asylum processing once encounters with migrants between ports of entry reach 2,500 per day. It went into effect immediately because the latest figures were far higher, at about 4,000 daily. ADVERTISEMENT Civil rights groups have been quick to react to the policy changes. A coalition of immigrant advocacy groups on Wednesday sued the Biden administration saying the presidential order differs little from a similar move by the Trump administration that was blocked by the courts. RELATED COVERAGE FILE - Pedestrians walk by an campaign mural emblazoned with a "vote green" message promoting the Green Party, in Mexico City, May 29, 2021. Mexico’s Ecologist Green Party rode on its alliance with the ruling Morena party in the June 2, 2024 general election to become the second-largest voting block in Congress. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme, File) Mexico’s small, oft-questioned Green Party to become the second-largest force in Congress Cuban musician Silvio Rodriguez looks on during an interview with The Associated Press in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Rodríguez, 77, one of Latin America's most famous musicians, has released a new album, his first in three years. (AP Photo/Ariel Ley) Cuban troubadour Silvio Rodríguez, icon of the revolution, dwells on island’s troubles in new album People wait outside of the Criminalistic and Forensic Science Laboratory in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Refrigerated containers, left, were set up, as unrecognized or unclaimed bodies exceeded the capacity of the Guayaquil morgue. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz) Spiraling criminal violence causes morgue to overflow, foul odors to spread in Ecuadorian city South of the border, Mexican authorities have been rounding up migrants, including those returned by the U.S., and taking them to the southern cities of Villahermosa and Tapachula in an effort to discourage them from migrating north. The head of the U.N. refugee agency cautioned Thursday that some aspects of Biden’s order may violate refugee protections required by international law. Immigration cooperation was also among the topics discussed Thursday when U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called incoming Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to congratulate her on her victory, according to a statement from Harris’ office. ADVERTISEMENT “Our objective is clear,” said Salazar. “We want to deepen the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico as neighbors, economic partners, and as a family.” Salazar declined to offer his opinion on controversial judicial reforms proposed by outgoing Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Earlier this week, Brian Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, urged that there be transparency in Mexico’s judicial reforms, particularly concerning any impact they could have on U.S. investors and companies. Salazar said that a strong judicial system was important, but it was up to Mexicans to decide on the changes. For more information, visit us at https://www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com/.