Chelen Mercedez Ruiz Moya received from the National Migration Institute (INM) last December a copy of the QR code that shows the permit to travel through Mexico. However, she is “detained” along with 16 other Cubans in the Siglo XXI migratory station, located in Tapachula, Chiapas, she denounced to 14ymedio the coordinator of the Center for Human Dignity, Luis García Villagrán. “There is no set date for their release.”
Ruiz’s intention was to continue on his way to the United States. The QR code they gave him allowed him to travel to the state of Durango before January 10, 2022, where he could continue with his immigration procedures and choose between the refugee application or the humanitarian visa. Now she fears that she will be deported.
The situation of the young woman is similar to that of Flabia Bárbara Vázquez Llaver. They let her know that the process was approved, they showed her the QR code, but it went on to form the file in the facilities archive. García Villagrán lashed out at the immigration agents for not respecting the exit pass. “This is a clear violation of the rights of young Cuban women,” he said.
The activist, who led one of the migrant caravans in Tapachula, questioned the process against the migrants. “They cannot detain them if there is already a safe-conduct,” he explained and lamented the lack of response to the request that they delivered to the INM sub-delegate in the southern zone, General Hugo Salvador Cuéllar, to release the 17 Cubans.
The QR code given to Chelen Mercedez allowed her to travel to the state of Durango before January 10, 2022, where she could continue with her immigration procedures.
One of the detainees suffers from health problems, according to a medical certificate included in her file, explained García Villagrán. “It is urgent that they attend to the request so that they are released, receive adequate medical attention and let them continue on their way.”
Last November, at 14ymedio came the complaint 17 Cubans who were stranded in Tapachula before the promise of the INM of the delivery of a humanitarian visa. Wilmer Rodríguez, originally from Holguín, accused the migration agents of “discriminatory acts” and “extortion.”
Cubans have also fallen prey to criminal groups in the Chiapas stadium. Yarol Gonzalez told this newspaper the nightmare he lived with two other migrants in a place in Villa Comaltitlán, when armed individuals pointed firearms at them and forced them to undress after stealing money and the mobile phones with which they communicated with their relatives. .
INM authorities have a record of 67,376 migrants detained in Chiapas in 2021. Between October and December, 657 Cubans were detained and at least 229 were deported.
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