New Comar headquarters in danger due to neighborhood discontent

Jessica Xantomila and Jared Laureles

The newspaper La Jornada
Sunday, September 1, 2024, p. 8

The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (Comar) is again at risk of stopping operations in Mexico City and changing its headquarters, given the Dissatisfaction of some neighbors of the Granjas San Antonio neighborhood, in the Iztapalapa municipality, who for disinformation and incited by political interests They are pressuring him to leave the building where he has worked since August 5.

Neighbors and official sources consulted by The Day They said that for some weeks now the messages of rejection have increased, first internally and now publicly, through banners they have placed on the street expressing their annoyance: Get out of here! No to Comar! and We, the neighbors, demand their immediate relocation..

Gustavo Alanís, who has lived in the colony for more than 35 years, reported that there is a group of residents in particular that is led by Arturo Castell, who is seeking to become a representative of the Granjas San Antonio Neighborhood Commission, which does not exist, and has spread fear by saying that with the Comar, migrant camps will be set up and insecurity will increase..

In a document distributed among the settlers by this group to collect signatures against the Comar, a copy of which this newspaper has, they state that the risk of The impact on the community is seriousbased on experience in other areas of the city, such as the Juárez neighborhood, where the body in charge of the refugee policy operated until May 25, when it was forced to change its address due to pressure from neighbors.

They point out that in Granjas San Antonio We already have enough security issues to accept that they increase in a treacherous attack on our peace of mind and lifestyle..

They also point to a possible deterioration of the area, since The massive arrival of migrants and their eventual stay will harm the good condition and conservation of our road infrastructure, parks and communal areas, which we have worked hard to keep in good condition..

They even consider that it will impact the value of their homes, because Nobody wants to live or rent in a neighborhood where there are no guarantees for free transit and high levels of insecurity, so our heritage is at risk..

Alanís said that people who do not live in the neighborhood have also attended the neighborhood meetings, such as representatives of the PAN councilor of Iztapalapa, Guillermo Mora, to supposedly learn about our needs and mediate with the authorities.

However, he assured that the majority of the settlers are in favor of the permanence of the Comar in Granjas San Antonio, mainly those who They have businesses such as shops, food stores, stationery stores and other types of merchandise. There is an economic spillover.

Xenophobic component

For his part, an official who preferred to remain anonymous said that in the neighborhood demonstrations in the In the background there is a fear of the commission and of the migrant population that, although understandable, is not justifiable. The adjectives have more of a xenophobic component, since they say that the migrants will arrive with diseases and will dirty.

Regarding the presence of other political groups, he indicated that they have attended the assemblies people who have nothing to do with it and one of the leaders has been linked to the PRD. Some neighbors tell us that they are even part of a shock group that uses threats and intimidation.

He pointed out that Comar has tried solve the problem of lack of communication and agreements have been reached between the federal and capital governments, as well as with the mayor’s office and civil society, but it still persists the negative of the neighbors.

He said that both the city government and the mayor’s office will be responsible for security, that there are patrols and some police tents to keep watch, not only for the neighborhood, but to ensure that there are no migrants who want to camp. In addition, he said, there will be more lights in the area and the space will be kept clean.

Sources explained that many people believe that the migrant camps have been formed because of the Comar, because they are waiting for an application for asylum with us and that is falsesince the vast majority are stranded because they are waiting for an appointment to request asylum in the United States.

The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance has already suspended its activities for two months, from May 25 to August 2, after the failed change of address from the Juárez neighborhood to the Vernónica Anzures neighborhood, also due to pressure, in this case from people organized by the mayor of Miguel Hidalgo, Mauricio Tabe.