Tens of Venezuelans arrived in the dangerous Mexican state of Tamaulipas after The United States expelled them Thursday as part of his new immigration policies to stem the flow of people trying to enter illegally through his southern border. The government of Joe Biden, paradoxically, has warned US citizens not to travel to that town in Mexico due to its high rates of violence.
“Venezuelans are kicked out of the United States through Tamaulipas”, “The National Migration Institute abandons them to their fate”, headlines local media that have reported on the situation. Specifically, to Venezuelans they left them in the border area of the city of Matamoros when they are intercepted in their attempt to achieve the famous “American dream”.
Confident, their desire to cross into the United States intensified after the Biden said in recent weeks that he did not consider the deportation of Venezuelans rational, Cubans and Nicaraguans, three nationalities that are under totalitarian regimes. Although the president, at that time, also reported that he was working with the government of Andrés López Obrador to stop the massive arrival of foreigners.
Protests in Matamoros against the expulsion
the local environment Hi Tamaulipas He reported that a group of Venezuelans protested this Friday in rejection of the expulsions. People covered their mouths, painted their hands white and chained themselves. Many assured that they were already in the United States when the new measures were announced and that, under alleged deception, they were put on buses until they were taken to the New Matamoros-Brownsville International Bridge.
“We had more than seven days already to have arrived in the United States. We entered the country before the new law came out”, “We just want to get to the United States and fight to build a better future for ourselves and our families”, they said. They also showed the media their documents and bracelets that would prove that they had been in the United States since October 7. Apparently were held for several days until expulsion.
They closed the international bridge
The citizens, who were in a shelter in Matamoros, marched towards the international bridge with Brownsville, singing the anthem of Venezuela.
???????????????????????? Venezuelans deported in Tamaulipas arrived at the international bridge in Matamoros where they demand that they be allowed to enter the US again. pic.twitter.com/pK4g8xTLUd
— Molotov (@MolotovAlert) October 14, 2022
MATAMOROS: With hands painted white as a symbol of peace and chained, Venezuelans who were deported demand justice.
They plan to protest at the international bridge. pic.twitter.com/E6Y3kQnfh1
— Auden B. Cabello (@CabelloAuden) October 14, 2022
The Gateway Bridge between Matamoros and Brownsville has been closed due to a protest. U.S. gov. employees have been instructed to avoid the area until further notice. ???????? citizens should avoid the area, monitor media for updates, and notify friends and family of their safety.
— US ConGen Matamoros (@USCGMatamoros) October 14, 2022
The Consulate General of the United States in Matamoros reported on Twitter the closure of the bridge due to the protest. “The United States governments has instructed employees to avoid the area until further notice. Citizens should avoid the area, monitor the media for updates, and notify friends and family of their safety.”
crime and disappearances
The United States Department of State recommended last March to its citizens not to travel to Tamaulipas due to organized crime and the risk of disappearances. For that date, he authorized the departure of non-essential personnel from the US consulate general in Nuevo Laredo and members of their families due to security conditions.
“Organized crime activity—including shootings, murders, armed robberies, vehicle thefts, kidnappings, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assaults—is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria,” authorities said. Americans at the time.
Mexico does not protect migrants
The Mexican government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, an ally of Nicolás Maduro, has failed to safeguard the welfare and protection of migrants and asylum seekers at the border, warned the think tank Washington Office for Latin American Affairs.
In fact, Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, recognized deficiencies in the protection of Venezuelans.
“Significant evidence indicates that individuals awaiting their court hearings in Mexico under the protocol were subjected to extreme violence and insecurity at the hands of transnational criminal organizations that profited by exploiting the vulnerabilities of migrants,” the official said.