Since its launch in June 2023, the Safe Mobility initiative established by the United States in collaboration with international organizations, has received more than 172,600 applications from people located in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Guatemala.
A spokesperson for the US State Department detailed to the Voice of America that of them, more than 27,400 of them have been referred to the country's refugee program for possible resettlement, and more than 7,600 have already arrived in the United States.
The processing centers in these four countriesAccording to the US government, they are a way to “expand access to legal immigration pathways” and prevent people from embarking on dangerous journeys.
But what services do the centers offer and how can you access them? The US official offers details about the so-called Safe Mobility Offices.
How to start the process in a Safe Mobility Office?
The process of these offices begins at no cost through the website SafeMobility.org which is available in Spanish, English and Haitian Creole. There people must complete the registration form corresponding to the country in which they are located.
In Colombia, only Cubans, Haitians and Venezuelans who were present in the territory on June 11, 2023 or before can enter.
In Costa Rica, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who will be in the country on June 12, 2023 or before are eligible.
In Ecuador, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Colombians who were in the country on October 18, 2023 or before can access it.
While in Guatemala, only Guatemalans can apply.
The US official stressed that “no one should ask for fees or favors in exchange for access to offices.”
Once the person completes the registration form, their application is evaluated so that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) or the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) determines which legal migration route they could be eligible for and is give you an appointment in person.
What services do the Safe Mobility Offices offer?
In addition to facilitating a expedited refugee processing Through the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), processing centers provide information and referrals to other migration pathways such as humanitarian parole, family reunification, and work visas.
As of April 9, 2024, more than 15,800 people had been evaluated for other legal avenues of migration to the United States.
If they are not eligible for any US program, the offices also provide information to migrants about other routes of migration to countries such as Canada and Spain.
The State Department detailed that approximately 300 people have been referred to settle in Spain from Costa Rica, and many of them “have already been resettled.”
How long does processing take at the centers?
The US government details that although the time for each case varies, applicants to these Safe Mobility Offices “will benefit from the new simplified and condensed processing approach.”
This approach puts the average processing time at 75 days, or “even weeks in some cases,” from the time an applicant is initially evaluated by UNHCR until arrival in the US.
“Historically, cases processed through USRAP have taken much longer,” the official said.
Those who need assistance covering the costs of food, lodging, or transportation during the processing wait time may request this in the office during their evaluation.
Are there security requirements?
All applicants must complete a full security screening process before being approved for any immigration or resettlement program. Those who cannot do it successfully will not be able to enter the US.
What is the difference between Safe Mobility Offices and regular refugee processing?
The US State spokesperson detailed to the VOA that refugee resettlement processing is one of the options available through the Safe Mobility Offices, with the difference that through these, people are put into an “expedited” process.
This process “dramatically reduces the total average time” it would take to apply for resettlement from the country of origin.
What happens to people who are not eligible?
Individuals who do not qualify for refugee resettlement may be referred to IOM to evaluate other available migration pathways.
Those who are assigned an appointment at a processing center for options other than resettlement are referred to UNHCR.
“People can be referred according to their needs and local conditions to resources and opportunities for local integration and regularization of their situation, as well as to various support services provided by international organizations and NGOs,” the official concluded.
What if I want to return to my country of origin?
IOM offers administrative, logistical and financial assistance to eligible migrants who cannot or do not wish to remain in the countries in which they are located, whether Colombia, Costa Rica or Ecuador.
This aid is for those who voluntarily wish to return to their country of origin and do not have the financial means to do so without help.
Such information is also offered through processing centers.
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