Fire in Ciudad Juarez: the death of 39 migrants questions the migration policy of the United States

A man pays tribute to the 39 migrants who died in a fire at a detention center in Ciudad Juarez on Tuesday, March 28. Behind him is a banner that reads: "No more inhumane policies." AP - Christian Chavez

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

On the night of Monday, March 27 to Tuesday, March 28, 39 people who tried to come to the United States died at the Texas border, in a detention center for migrants in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. A fire swept away these migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela and El Salvador, a few meters from the international bridge that allows entry into the United States.

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Houston, Thomas Harms

Sixty-eight adults were inside the center which ignited. Of those who did not die, 29 were taken in serious or serious condition to different hospitals. The origin of the fire is still undetermined.

Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas are twin cities, separated only by the Rio Grande River. These two cities are intimately linked, the inhabitants make regular round trips. Many in El Paso blame U.S. immigration policy for the tragedy.

Title 42 pointed out

The victims had been turned away earlier in the day at the U.S. border, and immediately deported to Mexico. According to journalist James Fredrick, who follows migration policy, the tragedy stems directly from Title 42. This policy of automatic deportation was put in place under the presidency of Donald Trump.

« 

It all started with Title 42 and American politics. As migrants are quickly deported, this creates loops where people try to cross several times. Border towns like Ciudad Juarez are permanent refuges for thousands of migrants," he said.

According to El Paso Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz, "this tragedy must serve as a call to help migrants in distress at the border." And the city's Democratic congresswoman, Veronica Escobar, called for "saving these refugees, who risk their lives every step of the way to the United States." Title 42 is due to end on May 11, but the Democratic administration does not intend to open wide the doors of the United States.

A new rule, introduced in January by President Joe Biden, requires migrants to make an appointment via an app. All those who do not follow this procedure are automatically deported and banned from re-entering the United States.

► Read also: United States: the Biden administration wants to toughen asylum procedures

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Read on on the same topics:

• Mexico
• United States
• International migration
• Immigration