The opening of immigration offices of USA in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia converts more than ever to Central America in the “waiting room” migrants while they wait visas.
Historical migratory corridor to the United States, Central America is the path for thousands of people in search of the American dream and practically all of them do so without visas.
The initiative “safe mobility” Announced this month by Washington arose from the end of the health regulation known as Title 42, which allowed the majority of migrants who arrived at the United States border to be blocked or expelled without the required documentation.
Applicants for a visa must make an appointment virtually on the website mobilidadsegura.org, an initiative supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), two UN agencies.
The United States considers it a success. According to a State Department official, open “legal paths and new rules” to prevent people from making the dangerous journey to “enter irregularly” on US territory.
Currently, the flow of migrants from South America, mostly from Venezuela and Ecuador, increased through the Darién, the lush jungle that separates Colombia and Panama full of dangers such as mighty rivers, wild animals and criminal gangs.
“The record number of more than 100,000 people has been reached crossing the Darién (in 2023), six times more than those who arrived in the same period of 2022″warned from the UN through a statement.
“Externalization of borders”
Opening offices in other countries seeks, according to Washington, to make it easier for people contemplating migration to determine if they have a legal path to enter the United States and not have to put their lives in the hands of traffickers and try to enter illegally.
University of Costa Rica academic Carlos Sandoval says that this initiative responds to a strategy of “externalization of borders” to implement “more border controls before the physical border.”
“Mexico is the first border of the United States border. They have tried to place that in Guatemala as well, and now it is coming to the south”, points out the migration expert.
Just last Marchmore than 160,000 people tried to enter the United States from Mexicoaccording to the State Department.
For Cuban sociologist Ricardo Puerta, the US intention is for the US-Mexico border to be a filter only for Mexicans.
who has “possibilities will be left to classify” in this new system, whoever does not have them “He is going to continue playing with the coyotes because of the blind spots”says Gate.
migratory crossing
Sandoval explains that three migratory flows towards the United States converge in Central America: the Central Americans themselves; people from other parts of the world who are stranded; and those from South America, mainly from Venezuela.
“Central America has been and will continue to be a waiting room, but also a place of expulsion and a place of arrival of people”says the academic.
Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia will be the countries “strategic” for “contain these migratory flows”says Gabriela Oviedo, coordinator of “Human mobility” of the NGO Center for Justice and International Law (Cejil).
She maintains that Colombia is “the exit door” from South America, Costa Rica the first stop for those who crossed the Darién and Panama, and Guatemala, the previous step to Mexico.
The United States assures that it is working with the countries of the region to ensure that they are capable of handling “humanly” its borders.
“By the way”
The United States proposes that migrants wait for the process in the country where they are, although there is no guarantee of a visa.
The three countries will have to “assist refugees and vulnerable migrants”, “get them the help they need through humanitarian assistance”, enable them “legal status in the countries where they are” and “accurate information about opportunities for legal pathways to other countries, including the United States”according to a State Department official.
But in the historic center of Guatemala City, Diego Berríos, a 23-year-old Venezuelan, asks for money to continue his journey north despite the start of the immigration program.
He arrived in Guatemala five days ago and he hopes, together with his wife and daughters, ages one and eight, to reach the US-Mexico border as soon as possible.
“Here in Guatemala it is only passing through”he assured.
Come from Cejil “with concern the selected countries” and its ability “to welcome these people and provide lasting solutions beyond simple humanitarian assistance.”
Oviedo warns that “still not clear” on how “Are these centers going to operate and what are the procedures going to be?”
“We don’t know how long it will take, what will happen to the people who are denied these regular permits. There is a lot of uncertainty”the Mint.
Source: AFP
Source: Gestion
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