“We are human beings!”: the despair of Venezuelans in the face of the closed American border
After a dangerous odyssey, their hopes of legally entering the United States have just vanished: on the border with Mexico, hundreds of Venezuelans are appalled by the decision of the American Supreme Court, which might extend the official closure of the border.
“We are human beings, we are flesh and blood! How do you explain that to judges and governors?” thunders Juan Delgado.
Dressed in a simple sweater, the thirty-year-old has to face the mercury approaching 0°C in Ciudad Juarez, a border town that borders the wall along Texas.
Like him, thousands of migrants hoped to put an end to the application of “Title 42”, which has closed border crossings for two years to people without visas, including asylum seekers.
Activated by ex-President Donald Trump in the name of the fight once morest the pandemic, this controversial measure was initially due to expire Tuesday at midnight, following a long legal series.
But at the last minute, the Supreme Court ordered Monday to maintain these restrictions, the time that an emergency appeal filed by twenty Republican governors is considered. A decision that opens the door to a possible extension of “Title 42”.
“Why don’t they give us a chance?” Laments Mr. Delgado to AFP. “They treat us like criminals, when we just want to work.”
Next to him, Edward Acevedo is shot. This judicial imbroglio plunges him into “great sadness”. “We went through the jungle, the hunger and the cold. A lot of hardships”, breathes this 41-year-old Venezuelan, who shares a makeshift shelter with dozens of compatriots, in the house of a pastor.
The expiration of this exceptional regime, “it was the chance to move forward for all the Venezuelans who are here”, regrets Angel Colmenares, following having burst into tears when he learned of the decision.
Faced with the deep political and economic crisis in which Venezuela is mired, more than 6 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2015 according to the UN.
Although the majority emigrate to other Latin American countries, many of them embark on a dangerous journey, which notably involves braving the Darien jungle in Panama, to reach the United States.
– “Nobody wants us” –
In Ciudad Juarez, the misery in which the candidates for exile remain speaks volumes regarding the distress that moves them. Most sleep on the floor and light fires in garbage cans to keep warm.
Despite the cold, many attempt to cross the Rio Grande River, which separates Mexico from the United States, with their children on their shoulders. The others try to sell blankets or gloves to survive, when they don’t get kidnapped by the cartels.
“We are the forgotten ones, nobody wants us,” sighs a Venezuelan, who wishes to remain anonymous. “Wherever we go, we disturb.”
In an attempt to reduce this influx, Washington launched a humanitarian program in October, which plans to welcome a quota of 24,000 Venezuelans arriving directly by plane.
In return, those who arrive by land, and who were previously exempt from “Title 42” because of the political situation in Venezuela, are now subject to this measure.
But most migrants who reach the border wall refuse to turn back and opt to go underground.
“The salary in Venezuela is 20 dollars, and with that I buy two chickens, how can you live like that?” continues Mr. Acevedo, who left a wife and child behind.
In Ciudad Juarez, the barrier has many holes through which to sneak, as on the thousands of kilometers that run along Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or California.
The migrants who cross it then go themselves to the border guards, so that their case is examined. If they are allowed to apply for asylum, they are then released pending a final decision.
Monday, in the space of barely ten minutes, an AFP team saw five Venezuelans take one of these faults to reach the city of El Paso in Texas.
“They won’t let us in and I can’t wait any longer,” said one, on condition of anonymity. “My wife is dying of a tumor and I need money for her treatment.”
