US-Mexico border: cold weather rages on stranded migrants

The arrival of the first cold fronts has taken its toll on hundreds of Venezuelans stranded on the Mexican border with USAparticularly in Ciudad Juárez, where migrants sleep on the streets with temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius.

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Following the restrictions announced two weeks ago by the United States government, which now immediately deports Venezuelans who arrive by land, hundreds of migrants are camping on the banks of the Rio Grande, which divides Mexico and the United States, while trying to protect themselves from the extreme low temperatures of the region.

Some have blankets and tents that civil associations have given them, but they still lack portable toilets, showers and food.

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On several occasions, dozens of migrants have demonstrated to demand that the United States government allow them to work.

This scenario occurs after the new policy of the United States, which on October 12 announced 24,000 humanitarian visas for Venezuelans who arrive by plane and have a sponsor, but at the same time ordered the immediate expulsion of those who arrive across the border with Mexico.

From this measure, it is estimated that 200 migrants arrive daily, mostly Venezuelans, according to state authorities in Chihuahua.

Desolation among Venezuelans

An example of the desolation is the Venezuelan Juan Carlos Bonilla, who crossed seven countries to reach this border.

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“I thank the people of Mexico, who have supported us with food. We are saddened by the measure that the United States Government has taken, President (Joe) Biden had said that Venezuelans could cross until March 2024 and they abruptly closed the border to us”, declared to EFE.

“The last option would be to turn ourselves in to the US authorities and have them deport us to Venezuela,” he added.

Another case is that of José Enrique Zapata, also from Venezuela, who thanked the food donated by the inhabitants of Juárez.

“We are more good Venezuelans, we are fighting and we want President Biden to take us into account, we cannot return to our country, if we return it is treason against the country and it would be starvation or misery.”, he expressed.

humanitarian crisis

The panorama reflects that on the border Mexico united statesBetween October 2021 and last August, more than 150,000 migrants from Venezuela have been arrested compared to 50,499 in the same period the previous year.

But the Mexican foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, has insisted that after the expansion of Title 42, which “is not an agreement with Mexico” but “a measure of the United States”, the country has received “hundreds, not thousands” of expelled Venezuelans.

In Juarez Cityon the border with Texas, international organizations have intervened in this humanitarian crisis.

Marcos Torres, one of the leaders of the Church of the Faith in Christ Jesus, told EFE that “there are people who have taken up to ten months from their country of origin to get here.”

“There are many children, all those citizens who want to support are welcome. We have tried to support their basic needs such as food and shoes, but they require mobile toilets and showers,” mentioned.

He commented that there are many refugees in the street, so he invited the community to join and support them.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.