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The Rio Bravo flows between Tamaulipas, Mexico and Texas, USA. At this point, between Matamoros and Brownsville, the controversial new MPP protocol has changed the way asylum requests are dealt with, and asylum seekers are sent to Mexico for the duration of the process, which is for months. Approximately 5% of requests are granted, the rest rejected, but now nearly all of those requesting asylum must fend for themselves in territory known to be extremely dangerous, most of them have no resources and live just beyond the international bridge in Matamoros. Many of the asylum seekers sent into Tamaulipas are kidnapped for ransom, those who can't find someone to pay normally lose their life. Young women are taken as sex slaves. Assistance is given to many vulnerable people in desperate need, through voluntary and faith-based groups, including groups supported by Church World Service.
