Central American migrants cross Mexico river
The migrants want free passage across Mexico to the U.S. border.
Associated Press
Mon, 20 Jan 2020 20:33:34 GMT
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CIUDAD HIDALGO, Mexico — Hundreds of Central American migrants waded across the Suchiate River into southern Mexico Monday in a new test of President Trump’s Central America strategy to keep them away from the U.S. border.
The migrants moved off the border bridge and toward the river after Mexican officials told them they would not be granted passage through the country.
Amid shouts and some fireworks they began wading across the shallow river.
On the Mexican side, migrants ran from side to side along the river bank, kicking up dust and looking for an opening in the ranks of National Guard troops sent to halt them.
Guardsmen scrambled too, trying to head off groups and detaining people where they could. There was pushing and shoving.
Some guardsmen carried plastic riot shields hit with rocks tossed by migrants and they occasionally zipped a rock back into the crowd.
Others jogged to get into position with long staffs. Still others carried assault rifles.
Many of the migrants moved back to the river’s edge and a smaller number crossed back to Guatemala.
“You have two options: you go back to Guatemalan territory or you come with us,” Mexican immigration agents said to migrants who had crossed the river.
They assured those who went with them that they would “regularize” their status, but few of the migrants believed them.
By early afternoon, the stalemate resumed, the difference being that the migrants were now on the Mexican side of the river.
Riot police with shields also appeared on the Guatemala side of river.
Occasionally a few migrants would try to run through a break in the ranks of Mexican guardsmen, but most rested, waiting to see what would happen next.
The migrants want free passage across Mexico to the U.S. border.
Mexico on Monday rejected that goal.
While government officials say the migrants are free to enter — and could compete for jobs if they want to stay and work — in practice, Mexico has restricted such migrants to the southernmost states while their cases are processed by a sluggish bureaucracy.
Those who do not request asylum or some protective status would likely be detained and deported.
A letter relayed to the migrants on Monday by Mexico’s immigration agency restated the Mexican government’s position that the migrants would be allowed to enter in orderly fashion, while rejecting free passage.
Mr. Trump has forced asylum seekers to remain in Mexico or apply in Central American countries, effectively removing one of the escape valves for previous caravans.
Under threats of trade or other sanctions from the Trump Administration, Mexico has stopped an earlier practice of allowing migrants to cross unimpeded.