Migrants are swiftly sent back to Mexico

Nogales, Mexico — As local food vendors served meals and travelers crossed the border, a group of deported migrants found themselves in a state of despair in this Mexican border city. Sitting quietly, they expressed feelings of hopelessness and disorientation after being returned from the United States.

One migrant, Emmanuel, shared his story of desperation. “I’m desperate,” he said. The 35-year-old man had recently been sent back to Mexico after attempting to cross into Arizona to seek work and support his family back in Chiapas, located in the southernmost part of Mexico. “They told me I would face jail time if I tried to enter again,” he explained.

Emmanuel’s narrative is not an isolated case. On a Thursday morning in late August, dozens of other migrants, many of whom were families with small children, also arrived in Nogales. They waited for assistance and information at a government facility situated near the border entry point. This area, bustling with legal crossings each day, has sadly become a central hub for the deportations of migrants who entered the U.S. unlawfully.

Many among the deportees were dressed in standard clothing issued by U.S. Border Patrol. Some lacked proper footwear, as U.S. officials had seized shoelaces out of concern for self-harm. Volunteers from the U.S. offered aid, providing fruit, information, and resources about local shelters to help these individuals find temporary refuge. Quite touchingly, they also ensured that deported children received toys to uplift their spirits.

Among those deported that day was Rosalis, a mother attempting to protect her daughters. She fled her hometown after her children faced harassment. Despite her efforts to convey her fears and explain her situation to U.S. immigration authorities, she felt unheard. Overcome with emotion, she said in Spanish, “My daughters are in danger. I wanted to give them an explanation, for my children.”

Scenes like these have become common as time progresses. Since President Biden invoked expansive powers to limit access to the U.S asylum system earlier this June, the number of migrants being returned to cities like Nogales has increased significantly.

Dora Rodriguez, a compassionate Tucson resident, makes trips to Nogales four times a week to provide assistance to deportees. She reported that “deportations are 24/7,” indicating a continuous flow of individuals facing harsh realities upon their return.

The shift in U.S. asylum law under Biden’s administration has significantly altered the landscape for migrants. Historically, individuals arriving in the U.S. have been able to request asylum once on American soil, but these new strategies disqualify migrants crossing between legal entry points from seeking asylum. This change has left many feeling trapped and vulnerable.

Additionally, the revised policies have erased the requirement for U.S. officials to inquire whether migrants fear persecution upon deportation. Now, they must articulate their fears to be considered for interviews with asylum officers, leading to a dramatic decline in allowed applications for asylum.

Statistics reveal the impact; the ratio of deportations to encounters at the southern border more than doubled following the new public decree. Royce Murray, a senior official within the Department of Homeland Security, indicated that repatriations surged from 26 per 100 encounters to 62 per 100 encounters shortly after the implementation of the order.

Moreover, in conjunction with Mexico’s intensified efforts to curb migration and the ongoing challenges presented by the sweltering heat of Mexico’s summer, the new asylum policies have resulted in a more than 75% decrease in unlawful border crossings since their peak in December. This downward trend continued with notable decreases registered in July, peaking at around 56,400 apprehensions, which was the lowest since September 2020. A slight uptick was noted in August, but the numbers remain remarkably low.

Rodriguez recognizes the complexities brought on by the new measures. While fewer migrants are attempting to cross into the U.S., many of those turned away are among the most vulnerable—fleeing violence, gang threats, and severe hunger. “They are not criminals,” Rodriguez stated. “And yet they are punished by our laws.”

There are concerns that such stringent measures will push those seeking refuge into more perilous and remote parts of the border. These paths can lead to deadly conditions in harsh environments like the Arizona desert. Rodriguez reflected on her own experience crossing into the U.S. during the 1980s, acknowledging the risks organizations and individuals faced at that time.

For Rosalis, uncertainty looms after her deportation. With no faith in local Mexican authorities to ensure her family’s safety, the thought of attempting to cross again weighs heavily on her. When asked if she would risk another journey despite the likelihood of deportation, she expressed her determination by saying, “Yes. Sometimes, you have to risk everything.”

Source: CBS News