Immigration is a large topic in the United States especially in the political world, and it is even more spoken about at the moment due to a caravan of people from Central America making their way up North.
According to the New York Times, an online newspaper, the most recent update on Dec. 3 with the migrants who traveled through caravan reports that the United States is still keeping a firm stance on not allowing any of the migrants to enter the states.
Also, after a heavy rainstorm in Tijuana, where the migrants currently are located, the land turned into a large swamp as a result of so much rainwater. Due to yet another obstacle in the migrants’ journey, many decided to return to their home country. However, others have decided that the best option for them is to accept Mexico’s suggestion to apply for a one-year humanitarian visa to be legally eligible.
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“There are thousands fleeing dangers in Hondouras who are currently waiting near the Mexican boarder, not knowing when they will be able to apply for asylum.”
However, the widespread caravan journey began months ago.
According to the Washington Post, an online newspaper, there had been Facebook posts, television announcements and group chats speaking about a caravan that was going to begin its way up North for several reasons.
In the Washington Post’s article, it mentions that people decided to leave due to threats of violence, harassment and frequent robberies by gang members. Some planned on leaving with the caravan in advance; however, there were a lot of people who decided to flee last minute. Everyone decided to band together because they believe it is safer to travel in a large group than by themselves.
On Oct. 13, about 5,000 Central American people began their journey from their homes to flee from the dangers they feared and start a new life.
On Oct. 21, Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State, released a press statement stating the United States’ government is keeping up to date with the migrant caravan.
“As President Trump has stated, consistent with U.S. law, the United States will not allow illegal immigrants to enter or remain in the United States,” added Pompeo.
However, Pompeo added that he and the United States’ government are deeply concerned for the migrants as they face various dangers throughout their journey.
There has been violence concerning the situation from both parties, border officials and migrants. In response to rumors circulating on social media, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wrote a myth vs. fact article, published Nov. 1, explaining events that have happened so far concerning the caravan. DHS said, “We have already witnessed these groups forcibly encroach upon foreign borders and have engaged in violence when confronted by those governments.”
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“The tension between the migrants and boarder patrol officers finally escalated to the point where tear gas and rubber bullets were used in order to halt those who were attempting to gain entry into Mexico.”
According to Rolling Stone, an online magazine, part of the migrants began to peacefully protest toward the United States’ border near California; however, another group of migrants began to attempt to gain entry by forcefully tearing through the fences. In response to this, border patrol began throwing tear gas at the crowds, which affected the peaceful protesters as well. Despite the efforts from the migrants, there was no progress gaining entry into the United States, leaving them stranded in Tijuana for the foreseeable future.
Due to the issues Mexico is experiencing, Pompeo said the United States High Commission for Refugees is ready to help assist with migration issues and the current overflow of migrants attempting to get into Mexico.
Following the incident, Mexican authorities have started to relocate migrants to government-run shelters, reported Washington Post. On Thursday evening, a bus arrived to take Central American migrants to a new shelter, located in El Barretal. The new shelter is roughly 11 miles away from where they were waiting in Tijuana.
However, some migrants are fearful and distrusting and are attempting not to be relocated. Meanwhile, cooperative migrants are attempting to get work permits to be legally allowed to work in Mexico.
The Mexican government will allow migrants to apply for asylum, and anyone who qualifies will be given asylum in Mexico, but those who do not will be returned to their home country. Pompeo also mentioned the Mexican government will detain and deport migrants who enter their country in violation of their laws. Each application will be processed using Mexican law, determining who does and who does not receive asylum. There is no confirmation of what the next step is or when the migrants will be able to apply for asylum.
Georgina Rivera-Singletary, associate professor in graduate education, stated that immigration has been a part of the world for a very long time, which will not change any time soon. She believes that a wall, military forces or violence upon migrants will not keep them from finding a way into the country.
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“Migrants came from Hondouras on foot, bus, caravan, and other types of transportation in order to escape the increasingly dangerous neighborhoods in their home country.”
“Creating lines of communication by having both sides assign leaders to discuss alternatives to forceful entry. For example, there are people who are [at]the border crossing over to Mexico to feed and provide clothing and daily necessities to the families,” Rivera-Singletary added. “These people who are welcomed by the caravan could serve the role of leadership and provide a forum for the caravan families to discuss their situations and share their stories. Opening the lines of communication on both sides without threats and demeaning rhetoric would provide for a much more controlled situation in my opinion.”
Rivera-Singletary stated that it is a waste of tax-payer money to attempt to keep the migrants out, as most of them will qualify for asylum and as a refugee due to their reason for fleeing their country.
According to Rivera-Singletary, the caravan consists of full families, single parents and their child(ren), youth and elderly.
“They are leaving their countries because of political persecution, poverty, fear of gang-related violence and to provide a better life for their children. Their goal destination is a country that can provide them a safe haven and a better life for their families,” said Rivera-Singletary.
According to DHS, there have been reports that about 50 percent of people on the caravan are single adults. Guatemalan Intel Minister has told DHS that the caravan has started pushing women and children to the front of buses to act as human shields against military forces.
Rivera-Singletary believes people from the migrant caravan will begin to suffer illnesses, starvation and calamity since the United States is most likely not going to allow anyone asylum, and neither will Mexico.
“Without humanitarian efforts from others, the people of the migrant caravan will suffer. The next steps should begin conversations with their country’s leaders and try to make some type of agreement,” added Rivera-Singletary.
