Key Takeaways:
• Migrants at a shelter in Nogales, Mexico, are apprehensively following the U.S. presidential election, nervous about prospective changes in border policies.
• Fears are compounded by the possible termination of the CBP One program, a U.S. government app that lets migrants schedule legal entry to the U.S.
• Migrants in dire conditions are increasingly turning to dangerous attempts to cross the border illegally.
• For many asylum seekers, returning to their home countries isn’t an option due to threats of violence and economic hardship.
Impending Election Causes Unease Among Migrants
In the northern Mexican city of Nogales, a shelter known as the House of Mercy and All Nations, has become a haven for vulnerable migrants. A diverse group of individuals from as far as Africa and Asia and throughout Latin America resides here, united by a common purpose: escaping economic dearth and imminent danger in their home countries by seeking refuge in America.
Voicing their Fears and Hopes
Among these migrants is Rosa Benalcazar, an Ecuadorian forced to flee her home due to gang violence. Like her shelter mates, Benalcazar has been relentlessly trying to secure a slot to enter America legally via the U.S. government’s CBP One app. However, demand far outstrips capacity, extending the waiting time to several months.
Making Sense of Conflicting Messages
Adding to the stress is the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The shelter’s occupants are fully aware that the outcome could drastically alter their chances of gaining entry into the U.S. Uncertainty abounds as Vice President Harris pledges to maintain present policies limiting asylum access, while former President Donald Trump alludes to sealing off the border and dismantling programs like CBP One.
Managing Expectations and Dealing with Uncertainty
To assuage these concerns, immigration attorney Alba Jaramillo has been working hard to clarify and demystify the situation. Jaramillo stressed the importance of patience and discouraged reliance on unfounded social media speculation about sudden policy changes.
Dangerous Last Resort
Migrants are advised against attempting to cross the border illegally, a course of action both deadly and potentially disqualifying for asylum seekers. Still, U.S. officials are concerned that the election results may incite desperate bids to enter the country before potential tightening of borders.
Fears for the Future
At the Nogales shelter, fear and uncertainty cast long shadows, particularly for migrant parents like Areli Doral. She worries about what the election outcomes could mean for her two-year-old son and their hopes for a safer life. The possibility of the CBP One app shutting down has heightened anxiety levels among migrants who have been waiting months for their turn.
In the Midst of Hardship, a Resilient Spirit
Despite the palpable tension and uncertainty, life goes on at the shelter. Children run and play, adults connect and offer each other solace. Yet, under the surface, worries persist, dreams are deferred, and the quest for safety continues. The days pass, marked by the relentless pursuit of a better life, even as eyes anxiously monitor the progress of the U.S. election, an event that holds the power to drastically alter their destinies.
In conclusion, the migrants in Nogales are stuck in a troubling waiting game. Struggling with severe conditions back home and the uncertainty of future U.S immigration policies, they are left in a cruel limbo, their hopes and fears hinging on the results of a presidential election taking place beyond their reach.