▲ Migrants seeking an appointment to request asylum in the United States line up near the Paso del Norte international bridge, in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.Photo Afp
Jessica Xantomila and Jared Laureles
La Jornada Newspaper
Sunday, December 1, 2024, p. 5
To reach the northern states, migrants not only must cross between 3,000 and 4,000 kilometers from the country’s southern border, but many have to repeat this journey two or three times, depending on the number of times they are detained. by agents of the National Migration Institute (INM), which as part of its wear
It returns them to Tapachula, Chiapas, or Villahermosa, Tabasco, so that they can begin their journey again.
This has been the case for several of the undocumented immigrants, including children, who live in the irregular camps in Mexico City. This is the case of Mariana’s family, Venezuelan, who has lived for a month in the Plaza de la Soledad settlement, in the La Merced neighborhood.
In an interview, he shared that last July he arrived in Mexico with his partner and two girls with the desire to get an appointment at CBP One to enter the United States. However, not only has she not been able to be assigned a reception date in that country, but the INM has detained her on two occasions, and returned her to Villahermosa.
He said that the last time they were captured while traveling on a freight train through Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. It was in Samalayuca, where they met the immigration agents. “We got down and started to run, but one of them caught up with me. I begged him to let us go, since we had two girls, and he replied: ‘You had the chance to escape, but I caught up with you; This time I won.’”
He pointed out that once in Villahermosa, they keep the families in shelters for a few days, where they receive food, but for the men and women who travel alone, the INM leaves them to their fate
.
outside of your ranchito
a small room made of plywood scraps, for which the family paid 2 thousand pesos, pointed out that the returns made by the INM imply more money for foreigners, traveling the path they have traveled again and facing the dangers of the route: kidnappings , robberies and extortion.
He indicated that in the face of the threats of the future president of the United States, Donald Trump, the actions of the INM generate more despair and fear
since many migrants are trying to reach the northern border to cross before next January 20, when the Republican’s term begins.
We already decided to go by train again; We don’t want to stay here for Christmas. If the CBP One appointment doesn’t work out, we will surrender, let’s see what happens!
he expressed.
Rosa, from Honduras, also travels with two children and a sister. She mentioned that the first time she tried to reach the northern border she was stopped by the INM and returned to a place near Veracruz. We reached Arriaga (Chiapas), walking day and night in a caravan. Then we advanced alone to Samalayuca, Chihuahua; We went there in a taxi, but it seems that he sold us
.
Once arrested, They left us without communication, they returned us near Coatzacoalcos (Veracruz); It was four days in a truck, with little food
.
He commented that he already got the CBP One appointment, so next Wednesday he will leave for Matamoros, Tamaulipas, to enter through the port of Brownsville, Texas. My fear now is kidnappings, although I am in the hands of God, we know that there is a lot of that up above.
he expressed.
In Mexico City there are four irregular migrant camps, with at least 4 thousand people, according to estimates by the capital government. Most are waiting to be scheduled for a CBP One appointment to apply for asylum in the United States.
