Growing number of Syrian students fleeing war find home in Mexico

Record ID: 355902

  • Title: Growing number of Syrian students fleeing war find home in Mexico
  • Date: 4th March 2017
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (MARCH 03, 2017) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WAITING FOR ARRIVAL OF SYRIAN STUDENT AT ARRIVAL GATES OF AIRPORT SYRIAN STUDENT AMER BAHRA GREETING WELL WISHERS AT AIRPORT / BAHRA WITH MEXICAN FLAG DRAPED OFF HIS BODY BAHRA WALKING WITH WELL WISHERS BAHRA WITH SIGN THAT READS "NO WALLS HERE" BAHRA AND SUPPORTERS POSING FOR MEDIA MEXICAN FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SY
  • Embargoed: 18th March 2017 01:05
  • Keywords: Syria Mexico migrants students USA President Donald Trump
  • Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00166EPOW3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Mexicans turned out to the capital's international airport on Friday (March 03) to welcome the latest Syrian student to arrive in the country to finish studies that have been interrupted by war.
    Amer Bahra left Syria some four months ago. Originally from the city of Daraaya on the outskirts of Damascus, he left his home amidst escalating violence.
    Referencing President Donald Trump's vows to build a border wall and US restrictions on Syrians coming into the country, Bahra praised Mexico for his warm welcome.
    "In Mexico there are no walls, there are hugs and hearts that are open to us. At the end of the day, we are all humans, religion, our origins it doesn't matter. In the end, we are all brothers and sisters in humanity," he said.
    The latest arrival brings the number of Syrian students resettled in Mexico to continue their studies to ten.
    The Mexico-City based Habesha Project has organised the arrival and placement of the Syrian students in Mexico and aims to bring 30 in total to the country to finish their studies.
    The Syrian students in Mexico aim to return to their homeland eventually, hopeful that the six-year civil war will come to an end.
    "I hope peace comes to Syria and to reign throughout the world. Hopefully I go back to my family and friends in Syria to take part in the reconstruction," said Bahra.
    The welcome at Mexico City's airport contrasts with scenes earlier this month in the United States after crowds gathered at major airports to demand refugees banned under President Donald Trump's list of barred countries be allowed into the country.
    The ban has since been lifted by US judges. The Trump administration is reportedly planning a new approach shortly.
    Trump had argued his four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily barring travellers from Syria and six other Muslim-majority countries will help protect Americans.
    Trump has also suspended the Syrian refugee programme until further notice but has touted the possibility of making exceptions for Christian communities in Syria.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register