Mexico's Reckoning with Haitian Immigrants

The migration of Haitian immigrants to the United States in the past weeks has garnered lots of news coverage, but not much has been discussed how Mexico has been dealing with the surge of immigrants. Though Haitian migrants have their eyes set on the United States, they must travel through Mexico, in order to reach the U.S border. In the past, Mexico has set up camps for refugees as they process their papers, but this week, the Mexican government took a strong stance and announced they would be removing Haitian refugees to Haiti, "by 'air and ground'" (Washington Post), a very similar stance to the one the United States took recently. This is a new and conservative position compared to their dealings with immigrants in the past. Many migrants end up in Tapachula, where the government decided to set up a 'humanitarian camp,' now known as Little Haiti (Washington Post). Although smart in theory, the process took almost a year, which left many of the refugees displaced and on the streets. The duration of the processing and the lack of stability left many vulnerable. 

Photo by Felix Marquez/AP

Despite Mexico's statement of returning migrants to Haiti, many of them have not been in Haiti for many years. Many began their trips to the border years ago, making their way through multiple South American countries. They travel to Mexico in hopes of obtaining refugee status and then using it when they arrive at the U.S border. This is an issue Haitian immigrants who made it to the United States also face. The International Organization for Migration, a UN group, has asked Brazil to accept Haitians that have Brazilian children or had previously lived there, while on their journey (Reuters). Despite this plea for help, Brazil also faces its own turmoil with COVID and other things, which can be disheartening for hopeful refugees.

These new announcements from the United States and Mexico are surely worrisome for those who have spent many of the last years migrating in hopes of creating a life in the U.S. If they are returned to Haiti, the place they once knew will most likely barely resemble itself. Most migrants have been away for over five years, and more devastatingly, Haiti has come into more turmoil recently than when they left. Just recently, the President's assassination and major earthquakes, have left their homes and the families they left behind worse off. 

Image of one migrant's route fleeing Haiti, from BBC

Andrés Alfonso Ramírez Silva, Mexico's refugee agency head, said that most Haitians will not be considered refugees, "according to Mexican law and international law" (Washington Post). In reality, Haitians do not want to be considered refugees by Mexico, as the United States is their ultimate destination. For Haitian refugees, Mexico is equivalent to their home country. Mexico lacks stability, good job opportunities, and is more violent than the United States. Many Haitians have family members or at least some community waiting for them in the United States. For many, they need opportunities to not just give themselves a better life, but also their family members who were unable to flee. They have the responsibility of sending back money, but without job opportunities or stability, this is nearly impossible.

Mexico recently has become more conservative with its immigration policies, mostly at the call of the United States to help control the influx of refugees coming through the U.S-Mexico border. Recently, the Mexican government has been rounding up Haitian immigrants from hotels and other areas. Immigration groups believe that at least 80% of refugees have been targeted and victimized in some capacity (BBC). One refugee describes being robbed, as well as fearing for his wife and child's safety, as many women are raped by gangs (BBC). He describes seeing bodies of Haitian and Cuban migrants on his journey (BBC). 

Just last week, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador called on the United States for their promised money to Mexico and Central America for development, which would hopefully deter migration through an increase of jobs. Despite President AMLO's anger at the United States, Mexico's united stance for the removal of Haitian immigrants may be a way to show its loyalty to the U.S, in hopes of obtaining the promised development funds. 

Sources: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/09/23/mexico-haitians-border-deportation/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58673578

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/exclusive-un-migration-body-asks-brazil-receive-haitians-us-mexico-border-2021-09-24/