United States: more than 10,000 migrants camp under a bridge on the border with Mexico
Audio 01:21
Thousands of migrants, mostly Haitians, take refuge under the bridge between Mexico and the city of Del Rio, Texas, here September 16, 2021. © via REUTERS - OFFICE OF US CONGRESSMAN TONY
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
More than 10,000 people are crammed under the bridge between Mexico and the United States at Del Rio, Texas.
And the little town of 35,000 wasn't prepared for that coming.
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With our special correspondent in Del Rio,
Thomas Harms
In front of the gas station which acts as a bus stop, the majority of people waiting are Haitians.
They are fleeing violence and poverty.
Like François Naomi, this 41-year-old math teacher from Port-au-Prince who left Haiti in 2018, they spent several days under the bridge between Mexico and Texas.
With their ticket in hand paid for by a friend or family, dozens of them wait in the sun for the arrival of the Greyhound bus that connects American cities, and residents of Del Rio like Grace Yam come to their aid.
“
We learned that on the news, I'm sure they need something, they don't have anything.
It's so sad.
So we went to Walmart and bought baby food and wipes,
”she says.
"
Chaotic
" situation
These migrants arrived in Del Rio, 35,000 inhabitants, by crossing the Rio Grande river.
From less than 2,000 at the start of the week, they are now more than 10,500, according to the mayor of this border town, Bruno Lozano.
A small organizing coalition is supporting them, but Del Rio does not have the infrastructure of other large border towns and mayor Bruno Lozano, a little overwhelmed, has declared a state of emergency.
"
I did not expect to experience something of this magnitude, he
says.
There are parents with their babies there, people are falling unconscious from the heat, it's really hard to describe in words, but it's very chaotic.
"
"
We can't do it alone
"
Residents of the city are demanding federal action as the state of Texas wants to send national guards to close the border. "
We are Americans and therefore we help other countries, we are known for that,"
said Yunis Yam.
And we shouldn't close the door on them. But at the same time, we should all be working together, the state of Texas and the federal government, to help them more systematically. The border guards and the police have so much work to do and they need more resources, not just to deport them, but to study their case carefully. Del Rio is such a small town that you can't do it alone! With all these people, we are going to need additional resources.
"
The Democratic mayor has asked the Biden administration for help.
Nearly 8,000 migrants are expected under the Del Rio bridge in the coming days.
At the border with Mexico, 70,000 migrants were allowed to enter the United States in August, 16,000 were deported.
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United States
Immigration
Haiti
Refugees
International Migration