As we marked a century of border communities fighting for our dignity, we want to reflect on the progress made and emphasize that this is not the time to slow down: the journey toward full respect for human rights at the border is far from complete. 

For nearly 15 years, the Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) has engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding policy reforms that respect human dignity and protect human rights. This relationship, characterized by both conflict and collaboration, has required continuous effort to advance reforms whenever possible.

Transparency, oversight, accountability, use of force policy, and short-term custody standards are five key areas where we’ve seen significant progress which is outlined in our latest report, but there is still much more work to be done. SBCC remains dedicated to ensure that the progress made thus far is not only sustained but also expanded upon. Together, we can create border policies that truly honor the dignity and human rights of all.

View report: Recognition of CBP Reforms Over the Last 15 Years