It is shameful to watch as our country turns away thousands of people who are in desperate need of safety. These people are not the stereotypes we have been made to believe they are, those who are coming to "take advantage" of our asylum system. These people are real victims, from gang violence, poverty and other life-threatening factors, who have risked so much and traveled so far for a chance at being protected by the U.S. They need our help.

With the "Migrant Protection Protocols" policy, these migrants are receiving the opposite of whats in the name. Instead of being offered protection while seeking asylum, immigrants are being forced to await their asylum trials in the border towns of Mexico. These towns which are notoriously dangerous, are especially so for a vulnerable population like incoming migrants. As a result of the MPP policy, these towns are now over their capacity for housing the ever-increasing influx of asylum seekers. Not only is there not enough space to house these migrants, but the border towns lack the adequate resources these migrants need to meet their everyday needs.

The MPP is sending migrants back to Mexico with no regard for their well-being and safety. These migrants are preyed upon by cartel members and others who aim to take advantage of their vulnerable circumstances. Migrants have reported being raped, kidnapped and beaten, meanwhile, few, if any, people of authority are intervening and protecting them. These migrant's lives are in danger and something needs to be done now to stop the MMP policy which is putting them there. The MPP is essentially sending people back to their deaths in an attempt to rid American responsibility for thousands of immigrants who are seeking asylum here in the U.S. This policy is aimed at deterring migrants from coming to the U.S., but it is having no such effect. More migrants will continue to come and more of them will be forced to wait in Mexico. We can't stand by and watch as the U.S. asylum policy is distorted in this way. There people need help and the U.S. must do its part and help where it can. The world is watching.