In a bid to block vulnerable people heading north, Mexican authorities are employing a strategy to exhaust migrants until they give up. This tactic has left many migrants stranded in southern Mexico, particularly in Villahermosa and Tapachula, after being rounded up and returned multiple times. The Mexican President has defended this policy, citing the risks of crossing to the north.
The pressure from the U.S. to curb migration has led to a significant drop in arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border. However, this has resulted in an increase in migrants in Mexico without legal permission. Migrants are often extorted by law enforcement or Mexican migration officials, leaving them with nothing before being sent back south.
Despite facing hardships and dangers, such as extortion and the threat of cartels, many migrants, including pregnant women and children, persist in their journey northward. The situation is likely to worsen under President Joe Biden's new asylum restrictions.
Mexico's approach seems to be an attempt to appease the U.S., which has been pressuring Latin American nations to help stem migration. However, critics argue that these short-term measures do not address the root causes of migration.
Asylum seekers find themselves in limbo, unable to pursue their American dream due to being cut off from consulates or lacking funds. Some migrants express a desire to return to their home countries, while others seek work in the city before continuing their journey.
The harsh realities faced by migrants in southern Mexico underscore the complexities of the migration issue and the need for comprehensive solutions that address the underlying challenges driving people to flee their homes.
