by Daniel Nardini
No one is sure how many Haitians there are now in Tijuana, Mexico, on the border with the United States. It is the tragedy of nature that has brought these people where they are now. As if Haiti has not had more than enough with trying to recover from the devastating earthquake of 2010, then came Hurricane Mathew last year that has brought even more carnage to the island. Before that, many Haitians had fled to Brazil where most found work during the Olympic games that took place in that country last year. However, when the Olympics ended, and Brazil’s economy took a nosedive, most of the Haitians in that country decided to head for the United States. Why the United States? Because family, friends and relatives told them to head for the United States because of the country’s refugee humanitarian policy. So the Haitians trekked to the United States by boat, by bus, and even on foot through jungle terrain, mountains, and deserts. Considering how perilous the 7,000 mile journey is, thousands of Haitians still made the journey and are still coming.
At first, U.S. border authorities tried to let the Haitians in. However, with the sheer numbers of them still coming, this policy was changed last year by U.S. President Barack Obama where for the most part Haitians were not being allowed in. This is not surprising given the number who are on the border. This has proven to be a headache for Mexico too. The Mexican government did not expect anywhere near this many Haitians to be in Mexico, and their numbers are stretching the Mexican government’s efforts to feed them, house them, and generally deal with them to the breaking point. Because of current U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy of deporting as many Mexicans as possible, the Mexican government has to give priority to its nationals. This whole situation is one more thorn between Mexico and the United States, and is sure to influence the election for president in Mexico. Although that election will not be until July of 2018, any major factor that can influence it now will probably prove to be a factor in who will win.
But before that happens, it would make sense for the United States and Mexico to figure out a way to deal with the Haitian migrant problem now. Neither one can resolve it alone, and so it makes sense for both countries to work together to deal with it before it gets bigger.
The Haitian Migrants in Mexico
by Daniel Nardini
No one is sure how many Haitians there are now in Tijuana, Mexico, on the border with the United States. It is the tragedy of nature that has brought these people where they are now. As if Haiti has not had more than enough with trying to recover from the devastating earthquake of 2010, then came Hurricane Mathew last year that has brought even more carnage to the island. Before that, many Haitians had fled to Brazil where most found work during the Olympic games that took place in that country last year. However, when the Olympics ended, and Brazil’s economy took a nosedive, most of the Haitians in that country decided to head for the United States. Why the United States? Because family, friends and relatives told them to head for the United States because of the country’s refugee humanitarian policy. So the Haitians trekked to the United States by boat, by bus, and even on foot through jungle terrain, mountains, and deserts. Considering how perilous the 7,000 mile journey is, thousands of Haitians still made the journey and are still coming.
At first, U.S. border authorities tried to let the Haitians in. However, with the sheer numbers of them still coming, this policy was changed last year by U.S. President Barack Obama where for the most part Haitians were not being allowed in. This is not surprising given the number who are on the border. This has proven to be a headache for Mexico too. The Mexican government did not expect anywhere near this many Haitians to be in Mexico, and their numbers are stretching the Mexican government’s efforts to feed them, house them, and generally deal with them to the breaking point. Because of current U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy of deporting as many Mexicans as possible, the Mexican government has to give priority to its nationals. This whole situation is one more thorn between Mexico and the United States, and is sure to influence the election for president in Mexico. Although that election will not be until July of 2018, any major factor that can influence it now will probably prove to be a factor in who will win.
But before that happens, it would make sense for the United States and Mexico to figure out a way to deal with the Haitian migrant problem now. Neither one can resolve it alone, and so it makes sense for both countries to work together to deal with it before it gets bigger.