Hundreds of immigrants prepare to camp in the cold on Mexico’s northern border for Christmas, hoping for a speedy reversal of US immigration restrictions as they weather a severe winter storm that ravages the United States.
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that restrictions may remain in effect temporarily, many immigrants are facing a Christmas weekend that Mexico’s air service calls an “arctic air mass.”
“I’m staying here, where else can I go?” said Walmix Juin, 32, a Haitian immigrant preparing for the weekend in a seedy tent in the town of Reynosa across the McAllen border, Texas. said. “I never thought I’d spend Christmas like this.”
In the border towns of Matamoros and Reynosa, where thousands of people camp in open spaces or simple shelters, temperatures are expected to remain near zero on Saturday and only slightly improve on Sunday.
Further west, temperatures are expected to drop to -6C in Ciudad Juárez, where hundreds of migrants are lining up for shelter at the Texas, El Paso border. Many sleep on the streets.
Authorities have been providing more shelters in recent days, but some migrants are cautious.
A video shared with Reuters showed 29-year-old Antony Rodriguez, wearing a baseball cap and a zip-up jacket with a zip up to his chin, trying to stay warm by hiding under blankets in a tent with five relatives in Matamoros.
After a grueling journey through Central America and Mexico, Rodriguez said he turned down the offer of shelter because authorities feared they would drive them back south.
“We think they’re going to send us back,” he said.
Giovanny Castellanos, another Venezuelan in Matamoros, said he camped in a tent at the border, wrapped in blankets, to keep up to date with developments.
“If you go to a shelter, you’re further away from where the real information is,” said the 32-year-old.
US law allows the country to send immigrants back to Mexico or certain countries before they have a chance to apply for asylum. The rule was in effect until December 21, before the Supreme Court decision. Uncertain as to when the rule will end, some officials worry their city will suffocate if more immigrants show up.
“US immigration policy has a huge impact here on the border,” Reynosa Mayor Carlos Ortiz said on Friday. said.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.