Assabil Shelter, a mark of global migration to the United States

The Argelia, Syria, Yemen either Afghanistannew migrants wait in Mexico the opportunity to obtain asylum and achieve a better life in USA, on a border that has become global.

The growing diversity of migration is categorical: 1.39 million people of 177 nationalities crossed through Mexico alone between last January and May, according to official figures.

With stories as varied as their languages, the guests of the Assabil Hostel, on the border with Tijuana (northeast), escape the molds of this phenomenon in the region: none of them come from Latin America or speak Spanish and the majority profess Islam.

Assabil, one of several migrant shelters in Tijuana, is in fact the only one designed for Muslims, with a mosque on its premises.

“The people are quite warm, almost everyone follows the same faith. Then you feel like you are among your brothers and sisters.”says Maitham Alojaili, a 26-year-old Syrian fleeing the “instability” of his country, which has been mired in civil war since 2011.

“People get kidnapped, anything can happen. “Sometimes when you leave home, there’s a good chance you won’t come back.” Alojaili tells about life in Syria, minutes before joining the Jumu’ah, Muslim Friday prayer.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, Europe has always been seen as a natural destination for migration.

But the increase in these flows due to internal conflicts, lack of opportunities and the pandemic led to a tightening of European migration policy. The United States thus emerged as an alternative.

“There have been no solutions to basic needs, not even spiritual ones or those of freedom and democracy. All of this combines to push for an exodus,” explains Gilberto Conde, a specialist in the Middle East and North Africa at the Colegio de México.

“Your home in Tijuana”

Many have followed long and arduous routes through South and Central America, while others, with more economic possibilities, flew directly to Mexico.

Yusseph Rahnali, a 31-year-old Algerian who first traveled to Ecuador and crossed seven countries to reach Mexico, chose the United States “because they accept everyone”, he comments.

Fanah Ahmadi, a 29-year-old Afghan journalist, initially traveled to Iran where he obtained a humanitarian visa for Brazil after “wait a long time”.After “I traveled through nine or ten other countries to get to Mexico. There are many difficulties along the way, but I am grateful.”“of being here,” he says.

In addition to offering a community of faith and culture, the shelter solves practical issues such as room and board, which many cannot afford. “It is close to the border with the United States, so it is a suitable place for us. “We don’t spend a lot of money, they give us food.”explains Ahmadi.

Sonia García, a Mexican who adopted Islam by marriage and founded the shelter in 2022, points out that up to 200 people can stay, practice their religion and eat Halal food, prepared according to the precepts of Sharia or Islamic law.

“The Muslim has his home here in Tijuana”says García, 49 years old, proud and surprised at having received migrants from places where “we had never heard”, such as Uzbekistan.

But the difficulties do not end there. The United States recently authorized the closure of the border to asylum seekers when there are more than 2,500 irregular crossings on a seven-day average.

In 2023, 2.4 million illegal entries were recorded across the 3,200 km border.

“Others”

In American statistics, these migrants are grouped under the heading “others” because of their small number compared to those from Latin American countries, India or Russia.

The profiles at the shelter are diverse, from politically persecuted or displaced by wars who, despite having resources, could not remain in their countries, to those fleeing poverty and unemployment. The stay can last from one week to seven months, depending on when they get the appointment to request asylum, explains García.

Some avoid leaving, as their money and documents are often stolen, while others work to survive while they wait.

“Muslims who have businesses here are always on hand to help. And that’s what they do.” says García, who chairs the Latina Muslim Foundation and lives in San Diego, an American city neighboring Tijuana.

For the Algerian Rahnali, living together “with your people it is better”but sharing with migrants from other places and faiths is not a problem. “They are good people, it is not about religion”says.

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