The United States has sent about 800 mostly Central American and Cuban migrants back to the northern Mexico border city of Matamoros since expanding its 'remain in Mexico' program to the easternmost point on the shared border two weeks ago.
Migrants return to Mexico, using the Puerta Mexico bridge that crosses the Rio Grande river, in Matamoros, Mexico, Wednesday, July 31, 2019, on the border with Brownsville, Texas. The United States government has sent some 800 mostly Central American and Cuban immigrants back to this northern Mexico border city since expanding its controversial plan to this easternmost point on the shared border two weeks ago, according to local Mexican authorities.
Under the program, migrants who turn themselves over to U.S. authorities and, in most cases, request asylum, are returned to Mexico after being given a court date. To pursue their asylum cases they have to wait in Mexico, crossing only for court dates in what is a months-long process. On Thursday, some 70 migrants walked sullenly with their heads down across the international bridge into Matamoros. They carried their documents in transparent plastic bags and expressed concerns about how they would wait out the process in a state known for powerful organized crime gangs.
“One of the agents told us very clearly that they were going to deport us, but only to Mexico and not to our country to save money,” Raxic said. “It’s a strategy to make us scared and so we’ll go back.” Raxic waited for the bus to Monterrey, saying from there his family would look for a way back to Guatemala.
Mexico has said it will provide more shelter space and job opportunities for migrants sent back to Mexico. On Thursday, the government opened a new shelter in Ciudad Juarez across from El Paso, Texas, where the U.S. is also returning asylum seekers.
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