The Ukrainian refugees in Europe.

[rooster59]

Migrants in Tijuana feel squeeze from both sides of U.S. border

By Lizbeth Diaz

 

A migrant family, part of a caravan of thousands traveling from Central America en route to the United States, sleeps at a makeshift camp at a gas station where the migrants wait for buses in Navojoa, Mexico November 16, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

 

TIJUANA, Mexico (Reuters) - Central American migrants on Mexico's northern border are coming under pressure from two sides as the Trump administration blocks asylum to anyone entering the United States illegally, while local politicians question whether they should be in Mexico.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has sent almost 6,000 troops to fortify the U.S-Mexico border, and has threatened to close the frontier entirely to keep out the migrants.

 

In addition, an order issued by Trump means migrants must now present themselves at U.S. ports of entry, such as the Mexican border city of Tijuana, to have any chance of qualifying for refugee status. The order came into effect on Saturday.

 

City authorities say around 2,000 migrants are now in Tijuana, where some residents have not taken kindly to the arrival of the Central Americans, many of whom set out from Honduras a month ago to escape violence and poverty.

 

More are expected to arrive this weekend.

 

Tijuana mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum criticized the recent arrivals, describing some as "bums." He said a consultation would be held on whether the city, which lies some 17 miles (27 km) across the border from San Diego, California, should have to continue receiving the migrants.

 

In an interview with Milenio television, Gastelum complained that migrants had been hostile to local authorities and that the federal government had failed to control its southern border when the caravan of people began entering Mexico on Oct. 19.

 

"Tijuana is now in a serious predicament," he said late on Thursday, noting that road blocks could be considered to stop more migrants from getting into the city. "It's not fair."

 

With many relatives living in the United States, Mexicans have traditionally shown support for migrants. However, a recent survey by polling firm Consulta Mitofsky showed just over a third of Mexicans wanted the migrants to be sent home.

 

Some of the Central Americans now clustered in the city's streets and migrant shelters were unsure what the future held.

 

Exhausted, and stretched out on the floor of a migrant shelter, Honduran Alejandro Martinez said he did not have an alternative plan if the United States turned him away.

 

"I haven't thought about what I'll do if they don't let me in. I'm going with faith in God that everything will turn out fine," the 24-year-old Martinez said.

 

Many migrants Reuters spoke to in the shelters were unaware of the U.S. government attempts to deter them and said they were determined to forge ahead however they could.

 

Others are opting to stay in Mexico, which is processing 2,600 asylum requests from migrants in the caravan, the government said on Thursday.

 

Remaining in Mexico could be an option if the United States rejects him, said Erick Cortes, a 28-year-old construction worker, who said he fled gang threats in Honduras.

 

"It could be Mexico, it could be another country. But return to Honduras? Never," he said. "I want to work so my family can get out of the hell they're in."

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-11-17

[YetAnother]

23 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Gastelum complained that migrants had been hostile to local authorities and that the federal government had failed to control its southern border when the caravan of people began entering Mexico on Oct. 19.

the crux of the matter; mexico screwed up on their southern border immigration, no sympathy for them being stuck with these 'bums'

[Tailwagsdog]

In Catholic Central America you have 8 kids, 2 will die in childhood from disease, 2 will die in their teens from gang & drug violence, 2 will leave for America, and 2 will stay home to look after the grandparents & grandkids left behind.

[camble]

Have to feel compassion for people just seeking a better life, and then they get stuck in TJ.  I did tequilas at Adelitas until dawn one night but I left town the next day.

[dapperdan]

Baltimore has a higher murder rate than any city in Central America. Dim Dems say “please come in, Uncle Sap will take care of you”

[riclag]

On 11/17/2018 at 6:43 AM, YetAnother said:

the crux of the matter; mexico screwed up on their southern border immigration, no sympathy for them being stuck with these 'bums'

I think the Northern border Mexican's feel that these Central American's are hindering their lively hood,it's not as easy for some to cross illegally as before, along with  strangers settling in their city streets camping out on the sidewalks and plaza's.

 What's never talked about is the illegals and asylum seekers that are  homeless living the US co mingling with American homeless competing for unskilled jobs!

In a recent survey millions  of Central Americans would like to come to the USA. Where are the Dem's ,crickets!

Edited November 18, 2018 by riclag

[Scott]

Troll posts removed.  

[Cryingdick]

On 11/17/2018 at 12:36 AM, camble said:

Have to feel compassion for people just seeking a better life, and then they get stuck in TJ.  I did tequilas at Adelitas until dawn one night but I left town the next day.

 

I do feel a bit sorry for them. However Trump was on TV everyday saying don't come here in a very clear way. They got misled by the people that organized the caravan whoever they might be. Hopefully the news gets back to the other caravans following them that the border isn't open.

 

It is pretty apparent that the only thing stopping them entering illegally is the wall on that border with razor wire added. Walls do work you are seeing that very clearly. Obviously they need to patrol but walls are very effective tools to aid enforcement.

 

They were told to apply for asylum upon reaching Mexico and that ship has sailed. As one official said unless their asylum claim now is about being under threat of death in Mexico they will be rejected.

 

This rejection will be on their record and will most likely bar them from ever entering the USA legally at a later date. Making fallacious asylum claims  is no trivial matter. 

 

 

[Scott]

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

 

I do feel a bit sorry for them. However Trump was on TV everyday saying don't come here in a very clear way. They got misled by the people that organized the caravan whoever they might be. Hopefully the news gets back to the other caravans following them that the border isn't open.

 

It is pretty apparent that the only thing stopping them entering illegally is the wall on that border with razor wire added. Walls do work you are seeing that very clearly. Obviously they need to patrol but walls are very effective tools to aid enforcement.

 

They were told to apply for asylum upon reaching Mexico and that ship has sailed. As one official said unless their asylum claim now is about being under threat of death in Mexico they will be rejected.

 

This rejection will be on their record and will most likely bar them from ever entering the USA legally at a later date. Making fallacious asylum claims  is no trivial matter. 

 

 

A lot of either mis-information or misleading information.   There is no indication that the caravan is planning on entering the US illegally.   The plan is to present themselves at the border and ask for asylum.   So the little deflection off to the effectiveness of walls is misleading.  

 

I'd be interested in where you got the information about them being told to ask for asylum in Mexico?   They can't request asylum for US asylum in Mexico.   You cite an official as saying that 'ship has sailed.'   Where did you get that information?

 

If the border officials follow the rules, each person claiming asylum will be pre-screened.   If it is determined that don't have a credible claim, they will be given the option to voluntarily return to their home country or be deported.   If they agree to a return, then they are not barred from re-entry to the US with a proper visa.

 

Those that make it pass the pre-screening, which means they may have a credible claim, still have to have a full asylum hearing.  

 

No need to try to sneak into the US, since, if if they did, they have to head to an immigration office and request asylum.

[Cryingdick]

19 minutes ago, Scott said:

A lot of either mis-information or misleading information.   There is no indication that the caravan is planning on entering the US illegally.   The plan is to present themselves at the border and ask for asylum.   So the little deflection off to the effectiveness of walls is misleading.  

 

I'd be interested in where you got the information about them being told to ask for asylum in Mexico?   They can't request asylum for US asylum in Mexico.   You cite an official as saying that 'ship has sailed.'   Where did you get that information?

 

If the border officials follow the rules, each person claiming asylum will be pre-screened.   If it is determined that don't have a credible claim, they will be given the option to voluntarily return to their home country or be deported.   If they agree to a return, then they are not barred from re-entry to the US with a proper visa.

 

Those that make it pass the pre-screening, which means they may have a credible claim, still have to have a full asylum hearing.  

 

No need to try to sneak into the US, since, if if they did, they have to head to an immigration office and request asylum.

 

Them being told to ask for asylum in Mexico has been all over the news in the USA since this whole thing started. Homeland security, ICE etc have all said they are no longer in danger once they crossed into Mexico. These statements have run on CNN, MSNBC, FOX etc. President Trump himself has brought it up. 

 

Being denied will not be good for getting a visa in the future. Somebody who has been refused very well may be able to obtain a visa in the future. However anybody knows that being rejected in the past isn't good for your next attempt. 

 

Especially if you lied previously which is what asking for asylum and being denied would pretty much amount to. Lying about your circumstances...

 

You can see videos them on one side of the fence. Do you really think that nobody would cross if it wasn't there? The fence works in one sense if it is only symbolic. People generally know when you are climbing a fence to sneak into a place you are probably doing something wrong. To say that the wall doesn't stop or impede people from coming in is just not consistent with reality. Sure some will make it over the fence and through razor wire but many won't attempt it. It does deter. 

 

The caravan isn't in imminent danger and haven't been (if indeed they ever were) since they crossed into Mexico. This is a fact. They are processing some claims now and if they want to claim asylum there is nobody stopping them from doing so. You might be waiting in line for quite some time though. The caravan is being told they will be detained in tent cities and not released. The goal of most in the caravan was to claim asylum and be released. 

 

On the TV many of the caravan are expressing surprise they couldn't just walk right in. 

Edited November 19, 2018 by Cryingdick

[Cryingdick]

One more thing. Why not apply at the American embassy in Mexico? This is a ploy to enter the country and disappear.

[Scott]

8 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

One more thing. Why not apply at the American embassy in Mexico? This is a ploy to enter the country and disappear.

You cannot apply for asylum at a US Embassy:

 

Asylum is a form of legal protection available to certain people who cannot or would not feel safe if they tried to live in their home country, because of past persecution or the danger of future persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Unfortunately, U.S. embassies and consulates cannot process requests for this form of protection because, under U.S. law, asylum seekers can apply only if they are physically present in the United States (or at least at a U.S. border or other point of entry).

 

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-obtain-protection-us-embassy-consulate.html

[Cryingdick]

2 minutes ago, Scott said:

You cannot apply for asylum at a US Embassy:

 

Asylum is a form of legal protection available to certain people who cannot or would not feel safe if they tried to live in their home country, because of past persecution or the danger of future persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Unfortunately, U.S. embassies and consulates cannot process requests for this form of protection because, under U.S. law, asylum seekers can apply only if they are physically present in the United States (or at least at a U.S. border or other point of entry).

 

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-obtain-protection-us-embassy-consulate.html

 

The fact remains they are no longer under danger and should have applied to Mexico. It's really that simple.