The COVID-19 pandemic has turned Holy Week—a time when Matamoros’ streets and churches are typically packed to the brim—into a private affair. But on Friday, as parishioners were asked to stay home and pilgrimages across the city were cancelled, officials are set to begin forcibly moving thousands of asylum-seekers waiting in Matamoros at the Gateway International Bridge to a camp 4 miles away, according to advocates and volunteers. Between a holiday and a pandemic, advocates said everyone’s eyes are turned away—perfect timing for a concerning move.
In audio distributed to migrants by text message on Thursday, Pastor Abraham Barberi, a volunteer at the Matamoros encampment, warned that Mexican immigration authorities and the local government had decided to move people in the camp elsewhere.
“Brothers and sisters, we are praying,” Barberi said in the recording. “This is something new and impactful, and we will see something good come from this. Be careful and don’t resist, because their decision has been made to move everyone to the new camp.”
