The Migrant Caravan: A Humanitarian Crisis
Central American migrants gather at a shelter in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco state, Mexico. (AP Photo/Refugio Ruiz)
Factory worker Gerson Monterosa tells USA Today he fled Honduras after a group of young men demanded roughly $200 a month in extortion for living in his own home, even though he lives on less than $1.90 a day. “They gave me a piece of paper saying that if I didn’t pay them they were going to kill me,” Monterosa said. “They gave a week or they were going to burn down the house.”
Gerson Monterosa is not alone. This was the reality for the 7,000 Central American migrants — fleeing gang violence, drug wars, corruption, and persecution — that arrived at the United States’ southern border. These families walked close to 3,000 miles, arriving as refugees seeking to partake in the great American Dream. Journeying through Latin America in small groups is dangerous as many get kidnapped, pulled into working for gangs, drug lords, and human traffickers. These travelers joined together in large caravan to increase their survival rate and make their trek easier.
The migrant caravan has recently been featured on national and international news, from media sources spinning different narratives about the intentions of the immigrants to President Trump, angrily tweeting about what he believes to be an “invasion” of foreigners. However, Trump’s endless talk about the caravan abruptly ended after the midterm elections, exemplifying how he employed the asylum seekers as a mere political pawn to help the GOP win voters, claiming he would provide a potential solution to the problem through immigration reform.
As promised, Trump took action and sent 5,600 active-duty troops to the border, responding to this humanitarian crisis with military force. The United States Secretary of Defense, Jim Mattis, claims that the military only has batons and shields, “no firearms,” and that he does not wish to use the military as a political act. While the troops stationed at the border have not taken any violent action yet, it elucidates how America, a land forged by immigrants, hypocritically treats newcomers, an ideology that began before Trump but was perpetuated by his administration’s policies. By confronting asylum seekers with the full prowess of the American military, the president and all those not speaking out against him effectively support this decision and are degrading those in the caravan to a status of criminal and less than human.
Instead of sending military troops, the administration should have sent caseworkers and federal judges to quicken the process of granting asylum. In fact, with the minimal assistance provided at the border, less than a hundred out of the 7,000 cases are being processed in a day, leaving the immigrants stranded in Tijuana, Mexico’s refugee camps. This long delay in processing time created a bottleneck and enraged some of the refugee seekers who began to peacefully protest the slow pace of approvals. This nonviolent protest lead to Borders and Customs agents to fire tear gas at the refugees. Even worse, as the wind picked up, the gas blew south several miles, harming children and mothers who were trying to flee the scene. Borders and Customs’ inhumane acts led to many fatal injuries, permanent disabilities, and even death, especially for the children who are at the highest risk of falling victim to tear gas. Pictures of children at the border were released, showing them crying and wheezing from the gas enveloping them as they try to escape the airborne poison. The reality of the situation is disgusting as the American government stooped so low as to physically harm innocent infants and toddlers, after they completed a 3,000 mile trek, crossing through multiple countries.
A migrant girl from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands traveling from Central America, cries after running away from tear gas thrown by U.S. border agents. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)
The mother in the photo above was identified as Maria Meza by Buzzfeed News. “I felt sad, I was scared. I wanted to cry. That’s when I grabbed my daughters and ran,” said Ms. Meza, 39. “I thought my kids were going to die with me because of the gas we inhaled.” This weapon deployed is illegal in international war, but still used against peaceful crowds, perpetuating the idea of superiority the American government has when viewing non-citizens.
Donald Trump still continues to defend his horrific use of lethal weapons on children as young as four months old by saying, “Here’s the bottom line: nobody’s coming into our country unless they come here legally.” What Trump fails to understand is that coming to the border in search of an asylum status is legal under both the United State Constitution and international law. The Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes “the Attorney General to grant asylum if an alien is unable or unwilling to return to her country of origin because she has suffered past persecution or has a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” The United States is obliged to recognize valid claims for asylum under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugee. In response to the tear gas being fired, the government also closed down the largest port of entry, the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry in California, bringing in more criticism about the reaction to the border crisis.
After reading Trump’s tweets, hearing his speeches about immigration, and the actions he has taken, one thing is clear: the way in which we discuss humanitarian issues, shapes the way in which these issues are addressed. By calling the migrants “criminal illegals” and creating a fake story of an “invasion,” Trump is fear mongering the real problem, leading to the dehumanization of the immigrants, and ultimately allowing the government to commit such atrocious acts against them.
To aid the migrant caravan, Mexico is currently hosting the largest refugee camps in the continent, holding around 5,000 migrants in Tijuana, but the government is ill-equipped to handle such an immense influx of migrants. The Mexican government has discussed terms to expand US private investments throughout the country to handle the situation but, the solution of corporate involvement in a humanitarian crisis will take too long. What is currently going on in Tijuana ought to be seen as a humanitarian emergency, one that is only solved through aid, not arms. The camp offers no food, water, or electricity, restricting these immigrants of basic human necessities. However, Mexican President López Obrador promises jobs for those in the caravan as long as they comply with his country’s laws, but many choose not to stay in Mexico or return to their respective countries. The official statement released by Mexican government states there has been no negotiation reached by both governments, but allowing the refugees to stay in Mexico as a short-term solution.
Not all of Mexico has been as welcoming, as many protesters in Tijuana were yelling anti-immigrant chants targeted at non-Mexicans in the caravan, invoked by a deep sense of nationalism that always treats the outsider as an alien. Protestors used slogans similar the ones Trump uses at his rallies such as, “Tijuana first,” or “Make Tijuana Great Again,” with custom apparel similar to the infamous red MAGA hats in America. The local organizers hinge on the long history of class divide found in Latin America to taunt the migrants, going as far as throwing things at them while they walk down the streets. This nationalistic violence isn’t newfound, it has always existed, but the polarizing rhetoric that is so strongly employed by the Trump Administration is spilling over into other countries too. A great sense of divide has been created by the discriminatory and dehumanizing actions against minority groups, rooting the seeds for hate to grow. Ostracizing asylum seekers is shameful as it shows our inability to help and support those who come to our country to create a better life for their children.
Immigrants make up the backbone of this country. While they are only 13% of the American population, immigrants make up 16% of the labor force and are 25% more likely to start their own businesses than their American citizen counterparts. All of the vital industries in America, from farming, technology, to factories, would fall apart without them as they are willing to do jobs Americans aren’t. As a nation built by immigrants, demonizing those that are only seeking a better life for themselves and their families only perpetuates instances of racism and xenophobia. We must stop treating migrants as outsiders and use our privilege to advocate for those who do not have the same opportunity.
In order to take action, first follow the Progressive Youth Collaborative on Twitter (@PYC_SanJose), Instagram (@progressiveyouthcollaborative), and Facebook (Progressive Youth Collaborative) so that you can stay alerted for any demonstrations or protests occuring. Take to your personal social media to inform your friends, peers, colleagues and family about what is occurring and spread awareness! Next, until December 7, SJSU students are collecting donations from 11 AM to 3 PM. They are taking items such as non-perishable foods, hygiene products, clothes, socks, and shoes, first aid kids, blankets, and backpacks. If you can not come by at those hours, visit us at the San Jose Peace and Justice Center (48 S. 7th St) from 4 to 7 PM until December 6 and your items will also be donated to the drive! Finally, the link below provides multiple avenues and resources in which you can help the migrants journeying to the United States — from raising awareness, donating, or volunteering at the Southern Border.
Sources Used
Andrew Buncombe Seattle @AndrewBuncombe. “Trump Defends Use of Tear Gas at US-Mexico Border after Democrats Say ‘This Is Not My America’.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 27 Nov. 2018, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-us-border-migrant-caravan-tear-gas-mexico-democrats-patrol-a8653376.html.
Chokshi, Niraj. “Reuters Photojournalist Talks About Photo of Children Fleeing Tear Gas at Border in Mexico.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 Nov. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/11/26/world/americas/tear-gas-migrant-children-photo.html.
Coffey, Sean, et al. “Ordering Troops to Police the Border Is Unnecessary — and Illegal.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 27 Nov. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2018/11/27/ordering-troops-police-border-is-unnecessary-illegal/?utm_term=.dcfa75a003a5.
Dakwar, Jamil. “Tear Gas Should Never Have Been Used at the Border. It Doesn’t Belong at Protests, Either.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 28 Nov. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2018/11/28/tear-gas-should-never-have-been-used-border-it-doesnt-belong-protests-either/?utm_term=.144338dbc551.
Domonoske, Camila, and Richard Gonzales. “FACT CHECK: What’s Happening On The U.S.-Mexico Border?” NPR, NPR, 27 Nov. 2018, www.npr.org/2018/11/27/670807343/fact-check-whats-happening-on-the-u-s-mexico-border.
Haberman, Maggie, and Mark Landler. “A Week After the Midterms, Trump Seems to Forget the Caravan.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 14 Nov. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/us/politics/trump-caravan-midterms.html.
Hafner, Josh, and William Cummings. “‘I Don’t Care If I Die’: Migrants Speak out on the Caravan, and What They Left Behind.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 24 Oct. 2018, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/23/migrants-caravan-speak-out-why-they-left-everything-u-s/1738913002/.
Horton, Alex. “Why Tear Gas, Lobbed at Migrants on the Southern Border, Is Banned in Warfare.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 27 Nov. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2018/11/26/why-tear-gas-lobbed-migrants-southern-border-is-banned-warfare/?utm_term=.7f5493c19bd4.
Kinosian, Sarah, et al. “Mexico Begins Moving Caravan Migrants to New Shelter but Faces Mistrust.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 30 Nov. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/mexico-begins-moving-caravan-migrants-to-new-shelter-but-faces-mistrust/2018/11/30/4e597530-f497-11e8-aeea-b85fd44449f5_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.52def9ac8546.
Kullgren, Ian, et al. “Anti-Immigrant Activists in Tijuana Hijack Trump’s Rhetoric.” POLITICO, POLITICO, 20 Nov. 2018, www.politico.com/story/2018/11/20/trump-immigration-rhetoric-1008218.
“Mattis Can Order Lethal Force at Border, MPs Training with Riot Gear.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 21 Nov. 2018, www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/mattis-can-order-lethal-force-border-mps-training-riot-gear-n938981.
“Migrant Caravan: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?” BBC News, BBC, 26 Nov. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45951782.
Molandes, Lucas. “Here’s Even More Proof That Immigrants Are The Backbone Of America.” Mitú, 24 Jan. 2017, wearemitu.com/mitu-world/heres-even-more-proof-that-immigrants-are-the-backbone-of-america/.
Ramos, Jorge. “The Migrant Caravan Isn’t Causing a Border Crisis. Trump Is.” Time, Time, 29 Nov. 2018, time.com/5466781/migrant-caravan-trump-border-crisis/.
Reilly, Katie. “President Trump Makes Baseless Claims About Migrant Caravan.” Time, Time, 22 Oct. 2018, time.com/5430940/donald-trump-migrant-caravan-false-claims/.
Sathish, Madhuri. “Here’s How Many Troops Trump Wants To Keep At The Border Through The New Year.” Bustle, Bustle, 1 Dec. 2018, www.bustle.com/p/how-many-troops-are-at-the-border-trump-wants-to-extend-their-deployment-there-13230158.
Sherman, Christopher. “Remnants of Migrant Caravan Move toward US-Mexico Border.” NEWS 95.7, 19 Apr. 2018, www.news957.com/world/2018/04/19/remnants-of-migrant-caravan-move-toward-us-mexico-border/.
“Tijuana Shuts down Migrant Caravan Shelter.” The Washington Times, The Washington Times, 2 Dec. 2018, www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/2/tijuana-shuts-down-migrant-caravan-shelter/.
