Chaos on the Border

SECOND CHRONICLE OF OUR VISIT TO JUÁREZ

Morgan Smith/ El Comercio de Colorado

Last week I described the situation of the many Venezuelans stuck on the Juárez side of the US-Mexico border because of Title 42, the health rule that the Biden administration invoked in early October. These Venezuelans know that if they cross into the United States to ask for asylum, they will be detained and then deported, perhaps from another crossing point like the San Diego area.

That would be disastrous. Trying to return to Venezuela would also be disastrous. So they have no choice but to wait in places like the tent city I described in my earlier article that was based on my October 28 visit. Two things have happened since then

On October 31, there was a protest that involved crossing to the US side where there was a confrontation with the Border Patrol. I can understand the frustration of the Venezuelans but their plight is not the fault of the Border Patrol and the resulting confrontation was just bad publicity.

Because of this I went to Juárez on Thursday, November 3, my second trip in less than a week.

What has changed? First, there are many more people. Several people estimated 1,500. On October 28, there had been maybe 400. Second, a small group of Mexican soldiers was there but I don’t think they were necessary. The migrants were calm.

A group from the Hogar de Ninos Rios de Misericordia was providing trays of hot food for this large group but unfortunately they ran out before everyone could be served. I did not see any toilets. And those who are camped there do not have cooking equipment so they can cook their own meals.

 I brought bags of beans but they had no way to use them so I gave them to the Hogar.

Thursday, November 3 was a beautiful day – sunshine and the temperature in the low 60s – but winter is coming. Soon there will be rain or snow or extreme cold and living in these tents will be unbearable.

Everyone I spoke to was hoping for a repeal of Title 42 once our November 8 elections are over. Will this happen? What if it doesn’t? There is pressure to persuade these Venezuelans to move into shelters. Maybe that is why I saw no presence or support there from the Catholic Church, for example, or government officials.

Why hadn’t anyone made the simple gesture of bringing in portable toilets? And would there be enough space in shelters for all these migrants? For most Americans, this is another “out of sight out of mind” situation. You have to see it to appreciate the misery that is being imposed on these migrants. If this tent city continues to grow, if the weather changes, if Title 42 isn’t revoked after our elections, and if officials on the Mexican side don’t better manage this situation, there will be a tragic ending. Both of our countries are failing thes

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