Many advocates are calling for MPP to be rolled back. After making the trip north from Nicaragua, with a final destination of the U.S., Carlos says he feels like he is still in danger as he awaits his November court date. Advocates such as immigration lawyer Nicholas Palazzo say migrants like Carlos commonly wait for months in Mexico for their court date. “Unfortunately, nine times out of 10, the people I come across in MPP in Juárez, are telling me, ‘Please help me. I’d rather be in ICE custody in a detention center than in Juárez,” Palazzo tells CQ Roll Call.

Carlos sits in a shelter next to one of his eight children. One of hundreds of migrants in the cement and cinderblock structure, his son alternates between fidgeting and shedding tears as Carlos says he doesn’t have the money to go home.