Arizona residents may be aware that individuals may try to enter the United States from Mexico seeking asylum. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, entry into the country through San Diego ports has been paused as they have reached capacity. Therefore, those who are seeking asylum may need to wait until others are processed before they can eventually gain entry there themselves.

The CBP has said that no one is being turned away from the border and that the pause only applies to those who are being processed. Turning refugees away from the border may be a violation of Article 33 of the 1951 Refugee Convention according to a law professor at Harvard. Those who have been turned away may be able to seek shelter in Mexico with the help of Grupo Beta. For some, being denied entry into the United States is just one of their problems.

One mother who had been told to come back later was seeking information on the fate of her young son. The son had been separated from his father after turning himself in to immigration officials in the United States. The 29-year-old woman was hoping that she could be reunited with her child after entering the country. Furthermore, working with Mexican officials may be problematic as they may be detaining those crossing into Mexico from Central America.

Those who have a fear of persecution if they remain in their home country may be eligible for asylum in the United States. If a person is granted asylum, he or she may obtain legal residency in the country for a period of time. An attorney may be able to help those who are seeking protection from deportation on humanitarian grounds or anyone else seeking legal status in the United States.