MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation at the USA-Mexican border

16.7.2019 - (2019/2733(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Susanna Ceccardi, Gerolf Annemans, Georg Mayer, Lars Patrick Berg, Peter Kofod, Jérôme Rivière
on behalf of the ID Group

B9‑0026/2019

European Parliament resolution on the situation at the USA-Mexican border

(2019/2733(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Charter of the United Nations of 26 June 1945 which provides for the sovereignty of states,

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December 1948,

- having regard to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951,

-  having regard to the US Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 and the Migrant Protection Protocols in terms thereof,

- having regard to the US-Mexico Joint Declaration of 7 June 2019,

- having regard to its earlier resolutions on the issue,

- having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the EU recognises that the US has the right to protect and control its borders;

B. whereas the US faces an influx of migrants from Mexico and from states in Central America and even Central Africa;

C. whereas the US Border Patrol reports apprehending 688,375 migrants at the southwest border of the US since October 2018, and whereas the US judiciary struggles to deal with the flood of asylum applications and faces an 800,000 case backlog;

D. whereas the facilitation of illegal migration can amount to human trafficking;

1. Reaffirms the US’ sovereign right to prevent illegal immigration whilst respecting the basic human rights of migrants, specifically of unaccompanied migrant children, their well-being and appropriate child and juvenile-related care, as provided for in human rights conventions; 

2. Supports the Migrant Protection Protocols, which require that migrants crossing the US southern border to seek asylum be returned to Mexico to await adjudication of their asylum applications, whereas Mexico agrees to authorise entrance of these individuals and will offer jobs, healthcare and education, whilst the US commits to accelerate the adjudication of asylum applications;

3.  Welcomes bilateral cooperation between the US and Mexico through the US-Mexico Joint Declaration of 7 June 2019 which confirms Mexico’s commitment to curb irregular migration and to dismantle human smuggling organisations and their illicit financial and transportation networks;

4. Considers that people smuggling remains a serious concern in the region and notes that NGOs potentially promote illegal migration; reiterates that supporting and facilitating the smuggling of migrants under the guise of humanitarian assistance is a criminal offence and ought to be treated accordingly, whilst having due regard to the rights of accused persons;

5. Urges the US and Mexico to combat people smuggling, to work with regional and international stakeholders to address the root causes of migration, and to enable people in the region to improve their lives and the lives of their families in their respective countries of origin;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS, the Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the US, the Government of the United States of America, the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and the Government and Chamber of Deputies of the United Mexican States.