SAN DIEGO (EFE).— The administrations of the United States and Mexico have managed to stop the massive arrival of <a href="https://www.archyde.com/joe-biden-got-here-up-with-a-stunning-legislation-to-assist-unlawful-immigrants/" title="Joe Biden got here up with a stunning legislation to assist unlawful immigrants”>migrants seeking asylum at the common border, according to the EFE agency and the migrants and humanitarian activists themselves.
An unstoppable river of people was reduced to practically zero numbers due to the dissuasive measures of the government of US President Joe Biden, with the help of Mexico, which has ruined the Republican rhetoric of a crisis on the dividing line.
“Now, generally very few people arrive, most of whom are unaware that a (mobile) application is used to make an appointment and obtain an interview to request asylum,” Pedro Ríos, director of the Services Committee, told EFE. of American Friends.
The committee is the only group that maintains constant aid to migrants arriving in an area between two parallel border walls in Jacumba, California, which last May became the place where the most migrants entered irregularly on the southwest border. of the country.
But things have changed since June 4, when President Biden enacted restrictions on asylum that have managed to lower the number of migrant detentions to those recorded in the previous government.
The activist explains that the few migrants who cross “do not speak English or Spanish,” and generally come from countries in Africa and the Middle East. Now “the unstoppable rivers of people” have disappeared, he comments.
Arrests of migrants who crossed the border with Mexico irregularly fell to 54,000 last month, the lowest number recorded in the Biden government, according to the CBS channel.
Ríos believes that there is an electoral political element in all this in the midst of the electoral campaign between the vice president and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, and her rival, former president Donald Trump (2017-2021).
While both candidates promise a tough line on the border, activists like Ríos warn that the process for asylum seekers “is now more frustrating,” especially for those seeking an appointment through the CBP One application from Chiapas or Guatemala.
Ríos points out that the wait time can be between eight and nine months just to get an appointment. “It is too long because they cannot work, and it is more difficult if they have to support a family, and the shelters have a time limit to accommodate them, usually one month,” he explained.
Added to this is that the Mexican authorities are serving as a filter and making the process more complicated. For example, Boanerges, a migrant from Ecuador who did not want to reveal his last name, said he arrived by plane in Tijuana to try to cross into California to request asylum, but Mexican immigration agents detained him and sent him to Chiapas to request an appointment from over there.
“In Chiapas there is no work. When I saw that the months went by and the appointment didn’t come out, I decided to return here as best I could,” said the Ecuadorian.
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**Interview with Pedro Ríos: Director of the Services Committee of American Friends**
**Editor:** Thank you, Pedro, for joining us today. It seems that recent measures by the U.S. and Mexican administrations have significantly reduced the number of migrants arriving at the border. Can you tell us what changes you’ve observed since these measures were implemented?
**Pedro Ríos:** Thank you for having me. Yes, we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in the number of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Biden administration’s new asylum protocols and collaboration with Mexico have made it much more difficult for people to cross without following the proper channels. It’s a significant shift compared to what we witnessed previously.
**Editor:** What specifically are these new measures, and how have they impacted the migrants’ journeys?
**Pedro Ríos:** One of the key changes is the requirement for migrants to use a mobile application to schedule appointments for asylum interviews. This has created a barrier for many potential asylum seekers who may not have access to the technology or simply are unaware of this requirement. Most of the few migrants who are crossing now often do not speak English or Spanish, which adds to the difficulty.
**Editor:** It sounds like these measures are having a dissuasive effect. How has this changed the nature of the work your organization is doing?
**Pedro Ríos:** Absolutely. Our organization is one of the few that continues to provide aid to migrants in the area. Previously, we were dealing with large groups arriving regularly. Now, the numbers have dropped to almost negligible levels. Our focus has shifted from immediate support for large groups to aiding individuals and families who arrive unprepared or in urgent need of information about the new processes.
**Editor:** Considering this change, what challenges remain for asylum seekers at the border?
**Pedro Ríos:** The primary challenge is the complexity of the new asylum application procedure. Many migrants are still unaware of these changes or the need to use the app, leading to confusion and potential despair. Additionally, there’s the ongoing humanitarian need; those who do reach us often arrive with significant trauma and require support beyond just information about applications.
**Editor:** Thank you for shedding light on this situation, Pedro. It sounds like your organization is playing a crucial role in navigating these changes and supporting those affected.
**Pedro Ríos:** Thank you. It’s a challenging time for many, and we are committed to helping those who seek safety and a better life in our communities.
