Thousands of migrants remain stranded at Mexico’s northern border, unable to enter the United States legally due to former President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. These measures have led many to turn to human traffickers as their only option for reaching the US, despite facing significant risks along the way.
No Way Forward, No Way Back
Margelis Rodríguez had dreams of a better life in the United States. After submitting her asylum application, she was given a hearing date. However, under Trump’s administration, all pending asylum cases were halted, border controls were tightened, and deportations surged. Now, Rodríguez and her two children are stuck in a shelter in Tijuana, unable to enter the US or return to their home country of Venezuela.
Hector López, another migrant, is also caught in limbo. His brother, who worked in construction, was arrested in San Diego and is facing potential deportation. The construction sector has become a major target of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with López hoping for his brother’s release in Tijuana. However, ICE often deports migrants to distant border crossings, disrupting their efforts to return to established support networks.
Overcrowded Shelters and Deteriorating Conditions
Mexico has established shelters in Tijuana and Mexicali to accommodate deported migrants, but many avoid these facilities. Concerns about the National Guard’s presence, poor sanitary conditions, and corruption within immigration authorities have made these state-run shelters undesirable. These facilities are often criticized for outbreaks of disease and safety issues, including a fire that killed 40 people two years ago.
Private shelters in Mexico are also struggling to meet the rising demand. Casa del Migrante in Reynosa, a shelter intended for 150 people, is currently housing 250 individuals, including 80 children. With resources running low and many migrants staying far beyond the shelter’s intended limits, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. Migrants from Haiti, Colombia, and Venezuela have no options left, as they are unable to return to their home countries. While Mexican citizens receive financial assistance to return home, non-Mexican deportees often attempt to cross the border illegally again.
Smugglers Exploit Migrants as Border Control Tightens
As legal pathways for migration have been blocked, human traffickers have seized the opportunity to exploit vulnerable migrants. Criminal organizations have adapted to stricter border policies by raising smuggling fees and taking migrants on more dangerous routes. While many migrants once gathered in parks or train stations, these locations have been replaced by “safe houses” controlled by cartels.
These so-called “safe houses” are anything but safe. Migrants are subjected to violence, including sexual assault, forced recruitment, and extortion. Some report that cartels even threaten to harm their relatives in the US unless ransom payments are made. Father Prisciliano Peraza, who runs a migrant shelter in Altar, warns, “The more migrants are pushed into illegality, the more they fall prey to the cartels.”
US Claims Decline in Illegal Crossings, But Experts Remain Concerned
The US government claims that illegal border crossings have decreased by 90% due to the strict immigration policies. However, experts question the long-term effectiveness of these measures. Many migrants, including Rodríguez, are now seeking alternatives within Mexico. Rodríguez has applied for legal residency in Mexico and is looking for work in Tijuana, hoping for a better future there.
Immigration experts, including Denise Gilman from the University of Texas, argue that the current US policies are pushing migrants into illegal crossings rather than deterring them. This shift ultimately benefits traffickers, who made over $600 million from smuggling operations in 2022 alone. As the situation at Mexico’s northern border becomes increasingly desperate, many migrants are caught in a cycle of risk and uncertainty, with little hope for a safer or more stable future.
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