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US-MEXICO-BORDER-MIGRATION-CENTRALAMERICA
US officials in Mexico tell migrants border is ‘closed’
MEXICO CITY, March 24, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Roberta Jacobson, the US
coordinator for the southern border, had a message Tuesday for undocumented
migrants heading across Mexico to the United States: please don’t come.
“Do not come to the border. The border is closed,” she said in an audio
message issued by the US Embassy in Mexico City.
“People who intend to travel to the United States in an irregular fashion
run the risk of becoming victims of crime and human smugglers,” Jacobson
said.
The audio message was released after Jacobson and Juan Gonzalez, in charge
of Latin American affairs at the National Security Council, held a meeting
with Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.
It comes as migrants, many from Central America fleeing economic crisis,
crime and environmental devastation, are traveling through Mexico in growing
numbers seeking to enter the United States.
In the message Jacobson warned that migrants who reach Mexico’s northern
border endure “a dangerous trip,” and that the coyotes — human smugglers —
whom they pay for help “are dangerous people.”
Furthermore, “in this moment of global pandemic, traveling and living in
large groups or camps increases the risk of contracting and transmitting
Covid-19… stay safe and await more information on the asylum process,”
Jacobson said.
Data from US Customs and Border Protection indicates that 100,000 people
were caught trying to illegally enter the country in February alone.
The growing crisis has even prompted President Joe Biden to tell the
potential migrants: “Don’t come over … Don’t leave your town or city or
community.”
Mexico has increased patrols on its southern border with Guatemala to stop
undocumented Central Americans heading to the United States.
Since January it has identified 4,180 undocumented minors from Central
American hoping to cross into the United States.
Jacobson and Gonzalez are in Mexico with the goal of working with
authorities there on developing a plan to manage the flow of migrants.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1130 hrs