African, Haitian migrants stream into Tijuana seeking U.S. asylum

Record ID: 84336

  • Title: African, Haitian migrants stream into Tijuana seeking U.S. asylum
  • Date: 6th October 2016
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (OCTOBER 06, 2016) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF JOURNALISTS CLUB PRESIDENT OF THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENCE OF NATURALISED AFRO-MEXICANS, WILNER METELUS, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE WOMAN FILMING NEWS CONFERENCE WITH MOBILE PHONE GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENCE OF NATURALISED AFRO-MEXICANS, WILNER METELUS, SAYING: "The Mexican government cannot return our brothers to Haiti. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Americas. Yesterday we had Hurricane Matthew, it was one of the worst tragedies to affect the country after the earthquake in 2010. The Haitian government is not prepared to receive the Haitian migrants." JOURNALIST AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENCE OF NATURALISED AFRO-MEXICANS, WILNER METELUS, SAYING: "The Haitian migrants and Africans who are arriving is also related to Donald Trump. Some have said to me that if there is an economic crisis, Venezuela is in crisis, Colombia, we don't know what could happen. If Donald Trump wins or not then the situation will be very difficult. They (migrants) decided to take advantage of this situation before the election."
  • Embargoed: 21st October 2016 22:01
  • Keywords: Mexico United States border migrants Africa Haiti
  • Location: MEXICO CITY AND TIJUANA, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
  • City: MEXICO CITY AND TIJUANA, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA00152VC0G3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Human rights activist have warned Mexico against deporting scores of Haitian migrants that have converged on the border city of Tijuana back to their home country, arguing that Haiti is not prepared to take on the influx following the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
    According to local media, more than 5,000 Haitian, African and Asian migrants are seeking to enter into the United States from its southern border with Mexico. Many are seeking asylum in America as a quick path to residency.
    Authorities have given many migrants a 20-day temporary day visa so they can get into the United States, but with more still to cross into Mexico from Central America, officials are reviewing the strategy after the U.S. government said it would step up deportations of Haitians in response to the migration wave.
    The President for the Citizens Committee for the Defence of Naturalised Afro-Mexicans, Wilner Metelus, told Reuters that Mexico also cannot send Haitians back home.
    "The Mexican government cannot return our brothers to Haiti. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Americas. Yesterday we had Hurricane Matthew, it was one of the worst tragedies to affect the country after the earthquake in 2010. The Haitian government is not prepared to receive the Haitian migrants," he said.
    The influx of migrants has exhausted resources at the border crossing of Tijuana that shelters have been set up with food and water to accommodate the surge.
    Metelus blamed Republican candidate Donald Trump for the border surge, arguing that many are taking advantage of the situation now fearing asylum to the United States would be difficult under a possible Trump government.
    "The Haitian migrants and Africans who are arriving is also related to Donald Trump. Some have said to me that if there is an economic crisis, Venezuela is in crisis, Colombia, we don't know what could happen. If Donald Trump wins or not then the situation will be very difficult. They (migrants) decided to take advantage of this situation before the election," he added.
    Activists and officials fear an impending humanitarian disaster on the Mexican-U.S. border.
    Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Sarah Saldana testified in Congress last month that 40,000 Haitians were in Mexico and Central America on their way to the United States.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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