Picture of Edith Tapia

Edith Tapia

Technical Advisor for Cross Border and Asylum at the International Rescue Committee and provides technical support to Switchboard on Cuban and Haitian Entrants. Edith has worked extensively with asylum-seekers at the border and in the interior, designing programmatic responses and providing technical support and policy-related updates. Edith holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College and a master’s degree in Globalization and Development from SOAS University of London.
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May 31, 2022 - Tenosique, Mexico Jean Michael, 27, is a client from Haiti who participated in the IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs in Tenosique, a city in the South of Mexico. He left Haiti in 2017 after living conditions in the country continued to deteriorate as a consequence of the earthquake that devastated the country in 2010. He initially resettled in Brazil, but years later was forced to leave when COVID-19 impacted the economy and lost his job. For Jean Michael, Mexico offers a safe place where he can rebuild his life. “Every migrant you see around, before arriving here, went through many difficulties.” When the IRC documented Jean Michael’s story he was about to get the positive resolution of his asylum claim in Mexico. After getting it, he was expecting to relocate to another city that would offer better work opportunities, a place where he could put into practice the things he learned during his participation in the IRC’s programs--especially the A/C repair and maintenance training he took as part of the ERD program. “I learned things I didn’t know, I never had an opportunity like this. He who learns something will make a living out of it…maybe I’ll be able to continue studying because I believe that one must take advantage of the time we have. I really want to stay in Mexico and start working.” Partner: IFORTAB Donor: UNHCR Photographer: Andres Brenner for the IRC *Jean Michael, his real name, but avoid his last name. *Eduardo, his middle name, avoid using his first and last names., 2022 – Tenosique, Mexico Jean Michael, 27, is a client from Haiti who participated in the IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs in Tenosique, a city in the South of Mexico. He left Haiti in 2017 after living conditions in the country continued to deteriorate as a consequence of the earthquake that devastated the c

TOPIC:

Case Management, Immigration Legal Needs

SUBTOPIC:

Four Steps for Navigating Service Gaps When Serving Cuban and Haitian Entrants

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DATE:

Newcomer service providers in the U.S. face challenges in meeting the diverse needs of ORR-eligible populations, including when serving non-refugee groups such as Cuban and Haitian entrants (CHEs). These newcomers have different eligibility criteria compared to refugees. Service providers frequently report unmet client needs and service gaps, leading to confusion and frustration as they strive […]

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