Del Rio migrant crisis: How did so many Haitians end up at the southern US border?

[DKW 86 7,419]

These Haitian migrants came from Brazil and other S. America countries not because they were political refugees but to better their life.  They came because they said Biden invited them. Why are these people's plight not THE CENTER STAGE in American Politics? Why is there not wall to wall coverage of this crisis every day? Why are we not talking about the racist slave masters horsewhipping these refugees?

Del Rio migrant crisis: How did so many Haitians end up at the southern US border?

Mabinty QuarshieJavonte Anderson

USA TODAY

DEL RIO, TEXAS — Thousands of Haitian immigrants encamped at Del Rio, Texas, after entering the U.S. through the Rio Grande are awaiting either deportation from U.S. authorities or deciding to stay put and seek asylum. 

But how did these Haitian migrants make their way to Texas instead of entering from Florida — a state that's closer to the Caribbean nation?

Many of those migrants, experts say, were likely already in Central America, as powerful natural disasters and an often-dysfunctional government prompted a steady flow of out-migration for more than a decade.

But now, with economic opportunities drying up in Latin America as the pandemic continues, Haitian migrants are seeking asylum in the U.S.

"The end goal is always the United States," said Eduardo Gamarra, professor of political science at the Florida International University. "And the pattern is one that wasn't really begun by the Haitians, it was begun by the Cubans. They're the ones who set this trail." 

More:Criticized from all sides, Biden scrambles to address surge of Haitian migrants at southern border

 

2010 earthquake spurs migration

A devastating earthquake in 2010 earthquake displaced more than 1.5 million people from the island nation. Afterwards, many Haitians left their homeland for South and Central America.

"Brazil was facing a labor shortage because they were building stadiums for the World Cup and the Olympics,” said Mark Schuller, a professor at Northern Illinois University and president of the Haitian Studies Association.

“Haitian migration was a solution to their labor problem,” he said.

In Brazil, Haitian migrants were granted work visas for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. They were also able to obtain permanent residency for humanitarian reasons. By August 2020, there were more than 143,000 Haitians in Brazil, according to El País, a daily newspaper in Spain. 

Other South American countries also welcomed Haitian migrants, including Venezuela and Chile.

In Chile, the Haitian population jumped. In 2017, there were 64,567 Haitians in Chile, with an estimated 150,000 there just a year later, according to the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think-tank. 

But after the Olympics and the need for “cheap labor” expired, Haitian migrants were pushed out of Brazil, said Gabrielle Apollon, the co-director of the Haiti Mining Justice and International Accountability Project.

The exodus of Haitian people fleeing the country can also be attributed to a “staggering increase in human rights violations” in Haiti within the past 10 years, Apollon said.

In August, the Department of State issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Haiti, urging Americans not to visit Haiti because of “kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and COVID-19.”

Haiti’s escalating violence and political instability prompted the United Nations Security Council earlier this year to publicly express its “deep concern” for the protracted political, security, constitutional and humanitarian crises tormenting Haiti. The Haitian president was assassinated in July.

Jacques Jonassaint, a former special envoy of President Emile Jonassaint to the Clinton administration, says in Chile many Haitians did not get work visas because of the country's process. 

"They did not obtain those visas; the Chilean government refused to give them the visas," said Jonassaint. "And the reason for that is to get a permit to work in Chile there's a process that is very lengthy and most Haitians don't carry paperwork with them."

Haitian nationals were able to obtain tourist visas in Chile, but in 2018, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera canceled temporary visas that allowed Haitians to move from tourists to migrants once they found a job. 

Gamarra says it's probable that many Haitians were undocumented in Latin American countries such as Chile, Brazil and Ecuador, meaning they aren't able to be deported legally to those countries. 

"They can't even be deported to Mexico because under international law, you have to be deported to the country where you have legal residence or a country has to agree to accept you," he said. "And more than likely, none of these countries is willing to accept Haitian migrants because of their status." 

And the COVID-19 pandemic hit particularly hard in Latin America. Brazil, the region's largest economy, shrank 4.1% last year, and nearly 600,000 people there have died from COVID-19.

 

 

What the border looks like now

For three weeks, migrants have freely crossed the Rio Grande from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas – a city of about 35,000 people. 

More:US closes part of Texas border at Del Rio, begins flying Haitians home

Images of U.S. border agents chasing Haitian migrants on horseback prompted outrage Monday, with White House press secretary Jen Psaki calling the images "horrific" and Democratic lawmakers demanding accountability.

Mexican authorities have also blocked entry to Ciudad Acuña and will start deporting Haitians. (Mexico only accepts migrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.)  

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas visited Del Rio on Monday and said an additional 600 Homeland Security personnel have been sent there.

More:White House calls video of border agents chasing Haitian migrants 'horrific,' DHS promises to investigate

Jonassaint also pointed to the lack of persecution Haitians from their government as a reason why they are being expelled so quickly out of the U.S. 

"If you look at the strict adherence to the law, both U.S. laws and international laws, those people coming in from Chile or through Mexico should not come at all in the United States, legitimately, asking or requesting for asylum because there's no persecution by their government against them," he said. 

But Haitians pointed to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and a recent destructive earthquake, both this year, in their homeland as reasons why they are fearful of returning to Haiti.

Karla M. McKanders, an immigration law expert at Vanderbilt University, said Haitian migration through Texas is not a new phenomenon.  

"It's important for people to recognize that Haitian nationals have been using this alternative route to get to the southern border for a few years, maybe even a little bit more than that," McKanders said. 

 

More than 320 migrants Haitians were flown back to Port-au-Prince on three flights Sunday, and Haiti says it is expecting six flights Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. 

Trump enacted Title 42, which allowed for quick expulsion of asylum seekers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in holding facilities last year. President Joe Biden continued the policy; however, children and some families are exempt. 

More:Biden sends hundreds of border agents, steps up flights to remove Haitian migrants from South Texas

Horace G. Campbell, professor of African American studies and political science at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, spoke strenuously against the deportations. "The United States is succumbing to white supremacist hysteria in this country by deporting these Haitians," Campbell said.

 

[bigbird 60,512]

[bigbird 60,512]

45 minutes ago, DKW 86 said:

Why are we not talking about the racist slave masters horsewhipping these refugees?

Really?

[DKW 86 7,419]

2 hours ago, bigbird said:

Really?

Chris Cuomo says that one picture changed everything for him.

https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/watch-chris-cuomo-compares-whipping-border-images-to-slavery-era-then-defends-agents-as-doing-their-jobs/

Chris Cuomo Compares Whipping Border Images to Slavery Era

 

Edited September 22, 2021 by DKW 86

[DKW 86 7,419]

 

[DKW 86 7,419]

'Horrific': Biden administration's handling of Haitian migrants at US border is shameful

The Editorial Board  OF USA Today 19 hrs ago

 

 

 

 

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Charges: Man "snapped," killed 4, then left bodies in field

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Rescue crews are searching Yellowstone for a former Navy SEAL after his half…

Even President Joe Biden's press secretary admits that the images are "horrific."

 

 

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A look into the history of refugees, how they're vetted and their freedoms once in the US

Click to expand

 

 

The photographs, taken Sunday by Paul Ratje on the banks of the Rio Grande in Texas, show U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents on horseback chasing down migrants from Haiti, a nation crippled by earthquakes, hurricanes, political violence and extreme poverty.

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Desperate migrants – carrying food and water for their families and themselves – scrambled away from the agents' charging horses. 

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At least one man, according to news reports, fell trying to avoid the long reins waved in the air by an agent on horseback.

Think about that: An agent, carrying with him the authority of the U.S. government, riding down a defenseless, frightened Black man. 

This, in America, in 2021. Not 1821.

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The issues surrounding unauthorized migration across our nation's border with Mexico are undeniably complex. And the rush of Haitian migrants in recent days has presented Biden and his team with a difficult set of choices.

Even so, the scenes that unfolded at the border Sunday are indefensible, no matter your politics or your position on border policy. 

As White House press secretary Jen Psaki seemed to acknowledge Monday: "I've seen some of the footage. I don't have the full context. I can't imagine what context would make that appropriate. … I don't think anyone seeing that footage would think it was acceptable or appropriate."

{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"56","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOE3si.img?h=565&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"44","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOE3si.img?h=441&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"44","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAOE3si.img?h=441&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}}© Omar Ornelas, El Paso Times via USA TODAY NETWORK Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters that CBP is coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard to move migrants to other processing locations for removal. The agency has moved approximately 3,500 migrants "over the last few days and 3,000 today," he said.

None of it is acceptable nor appropriate.

Yet, Biden's team already has sent hundreds of desperate migrants back to Haiti. Thousands more will soon follow, as the administration rushes to mount an airlift that will ferry people back, not to safety, but to chaos and fear.

Their only "crime" was to hope that America would live up to its values and promises, that huddled masses could still find refuge here.

But this is America in 2021. It is Joe Biden's America.

It is our America.

 

USA TODAY's editorial opinions are decided by its Editorial Board, separate from the news staff and the USA TODAY Network. Most editorials are coupled with an Opposing View, a unique USA TODAY feature.

[AU9377 4,927]

I guess the border patrol guy should have nicely said "sir if you would please, please don't go where I have instructed you not to go 100 times already."  Then when he was ignored, he should have hit himself 10 times for expecting someone that is committing a crime to adhere to his directions.  It would have been prettier if he had not been on a horse, but him being on that horse is the most efficient way to control a crowd.  Personally, I think this is being overblown.

America cannot take huddled masses from all over the world with no limits.  If we do, we will be unable to assimilate everyone and the consequences will be a country that looks more like a walled off third world country.  First, we have to reform our immigration system.

Edited September 22, 2021 by AU9377

[homersapien 11,367]

2 hours ago, AU9377 said:

I guess the border patrol guy should have nicely said "sir if you would please, please don't go where I have instructed you not to go 100 times already."  Then when he was ignored, he should have hit himself 10 times for expecting someone that is committing a crime to adhere to his directions.  It would have been prettier if he had not been on a horse, but him being on that horse is the most efficient way to control a crowd.  Personally, I think this is being overblown.

America cannot take huddled masses from all over the world with no limits.  If we do, we will be unable to assimilate everyone and the consequences will be a country that looks more like a walled off third world country.  First, we have to reform our immigration system.

Hate to be the one who says it, but this problem is likely to get a LOT worse as the full effects of AGW proceed.  It's a global problem and there will be a rush of people to places where it's still possible for large numbers of people to live.

Edited September 22, 2021 by homersapien

[I_M4_AU 7,801]

42 minutes ago, AU9377 said:

I guess the border patrol guy should have nicely said "sir if you would please, please don't go where I have instructed you not to go 100 times already."  Then when he was ignored, he should have hit himself 10 times for expecting someone that is committing a crime to adhere to his directions.  It would have been prettier if he had not been on a horse, but him being on that horse is the most efficient way to control a crowd.  Personally, I think this is being overblown.

America cannot take huddled masses from all over the world with no limits.  If we do, we will be unable to assimilate everyone and the consequences will be a country that looks more like a walled off third world country.  First, we have to reform our immigration system.

The crisis on the border in Del Rio is a volatile situation.  Earlier, a group of Haitians being transported by bus, overwhelmed the driver and left for parts unknown.  They were recaptured, but this is not normal.  Just yesterday; WASHINGTON — Haitians deported from the U.S. on Tuesday assaulted the pilots on board one of the flights when it arrived in Port-au-Prince and injured three U.S. immigration officers, according to a source familiar with internal reports of the incident.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/haitian-deportees-assaulted-u-s-pilots-injured-three-ice-officers-n1279775

The number of illegal Haitian immigrants out number the Border Patrol by a large amount.  Tempers are about to flare.

I agree we need to look at immigration reform, but rewarding the unlawful is not the right path forward.  This crisis is Biden’s crisis and he doesn’t seem to want to address it.  He is leaving it up to his Press Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security as if he believes they are doing a stellar job.  The press is ignoring the problem except when some type of enforcement is required and they point to *systemic Racism* as the problem.  The media is a joke.

[wdefromtx 3,159]

2 minutes ago, I_M4_AU said:

The crisis on the border in Del Rio is a volatile situation.  Earlier, a group of Haitians being transported by bus, overwhelmed the driver and left for parts unknown.  They were recaptured, but this is not normal.  Just yesterday; WASHINGTON — Haitians deported from the U.S. on Tuesday assaulted the pilots on board one of the flights when it arrived in Port-au-Prince and injured three U.S. immigration officers, according to a source familiar with internal reports of the incident.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/haitian-deportees-assaulted-u-s-pilots-injured-three-ice-officers-n1279775

The number of illegal Haitian immigrants out number the Border Patrol by a large amount.  Tempers are about to flare.

I agree we need to look at immigration reform, but rewarding the unlawful is not the right path forward.  This crisis is Biden’s crisis and he doesn’t seem to want to address it.  He is leaving it up to his Press Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security as if he believes they are doing a stellar job.  The press is ignoring the problem except when some type of enforcement is required and they point to *systemic Racism* as the problem.  The media is a joke.

I am sure they will eventually "circle back around to it." LMAO

[DKW 86 7,419]

1 hour ago, AU9377 said:

I guess the border patrol guy should have nicely said "sir if you would please, please don't go where I have instructed you not to go 100 times already."  Then when he was ignored, he should have hit himself 10 times for expecting someone that is committing a crime to adhere to his directions.  It would have been prettier if he had not been on a horse, but him being on that horse is the most efficient way to control a crowd.  Personally, I think this is being overblown.

America cannot take huddled masses from all over the world with no limits.  If we do, we will be unable to assimilate everyone and the consequences will be a country that looks more like a walled off third world country.  First, we have to reform our immigration system.

Racist…..if you had said that in 2020 before the election you would have been called every name in the book. It was just as true then as now. 

Edited September 22, 2021 by DKW 86

[homersapien 11,367]

3 hours ago, homersapien said:

Hate to be the one who says it, but this problem is likely to get a LOT worse as the full effects of AGW proceed.  It's a global problem and there will be a rush of people to places where it's still possible for large numbers of people to live.

For those who "face slapped" this post, I suggest you look up "environmental migrant" or "climate migrant" and educate yourself. 

Ignorant is no way of going through life.

 

Edited September 22, 2021 by homersapien

[AU9377 4,927]

I have no doubt that every migrant from any part of the world is seeking a better situation in life.  The problem is that most of the world are likely of the opinion that they could have a better life somewhere else.  That doesn't make them a refugee.  Parents that send children alone should be locked up. That is what we do with people in this country that abandon children.  The number of pregnant women in the mass of people should not go unnoticed.  All they need to do is step onto American soil and give birth.  They are then the parent of a U.S. citizen.  This is a problem.

[aubaseball 2,596]

5 hours ago, homersapien said:

For those who "face slapped" this post, I suggest you look up "environmental migrant" or "climate migrant" and educate yourself. 

Ignorant is no way of going through life.

 

Homer Homer Homer.  They are no more coming to the USA for that reason as you would be to go to Mars.   One and one reason alone, they come because they think they can get in and live in America.   The most generous nation in the world.  
 

[aubaseball 2,596]

I can’t hear you is a BOT.  

[bigbird 60,512]

On 9/22/2021 at 9:03 AM, DKW 86 said:

Chris Cuomo says that one picture changed everything for him.

 

Chris cuomo needs to look up what split reins are. That's not a whip...Unless he thinks anything leather held in the hand is a whip

 

[homersapien 11,367]

16 hours ago, aubaseball said:

Homer Homer Homer.  They are no more coming to the USA for that reason as you would be to go to Mars.   One and one reason alone, they come because they think they can get in and live in America.   The most generous nation in the world.  
 

Did I say that environmental degradation is the sole reason they are coming?   No, I did not.

I said get used to this sort of thing because we are going to see a lot more migration of refugees, as AGW continues to exert it's influence.  (We'll also see people moving to other parts of the U.S. for the same reason.)

But since you bring it up, are you aware of the environmental conditions in Haiti? 

These people are trying to come here because they clearly have no future in Haiti. The same is true for all such refugees.

The political system is obviously a part of it but their their environment is a major role, whether AGW is the primary reason for it or not.  Regardless, we will see increasing famines and desperation as the effects of AGW continue to manifest themselves.

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by homersapien

[AU9377 4,927]

As for Haiti.....  The French can increase their aid to Haiti.  We cannot afford to bank roll every badly ran country to the South that threatens to flood us with migrants.  I understand that they have had disasters.  They share the island with the Dominicans.  How on earth can two sides of the same island be that much different in how they manage themselves?

[aubaseball 2,596]

34 minutes ago, homersapien said:

Did I say that environmental degradation is the sole reason they are coming?   No, I did not.

I said get used to this sort of thing because we are going to see a lot more migration of refugees, as AGW continues to exert it's influence.  (We'll also see people moving to other parts of the U.S. for the same reason.)

But since you bring it up, are you aware of the environmental conditions in Haiti? 

These people are trying to come here because they clearly have no future in Haiti. The same is true for all such refugees.

The political system is obviously a part of it but their their environment is a major role, whether AGW is the primary reason for it or not.  Regardless, we will see increasing famines and desperation as the effects of AGW continue to manifest themselves.

 

You do know that most of these people were in Central America for many months , some years before traveling north.   They see an opportunity because the southern border is wide open.   
 

[AU9377 4,927]

24 minutes ago, aubaseball said:

You do know that most of these people were in Central America for many months , some years before traveling north.   They see an opportunity because the southern border is wide open.   
 

The border isn't wide open, but they are trying to take advantage of what they see as an opportunity.

[bigbird 60,512]

10 minutes ago, AU9377 said:

The border isn't wide open, but they are trying to take advantage of what they see as an opportunity.

It's pretty damn open. With a majority of the BP being called to Del Rio, the rest of the border is, well, let's just say... unsupervised.

[I_M4_AU 7,801]

21 minutes ago, bigbird said:

It's pretty damn open. With a majority of the BP being called to Del Rio, the rest of the border is, well, let's just say... unsupervised.

Now since the Border Patrol are using *whips* on illegal immigrates and the ensuing investigation about this atrocious act, what BP officer will even try to enforce the law?  

[Elephant Tipper 430]

2 hours ago, bigbird said:

Chris cuomo need to look up what split reins are. That's not a whip...Unless he thinks anything leather held in the hand is a whip

 

Kinda hard to whip a person with the reigns when they aren't even in his hand.  The CBP agent's right hand is grabbing the illegal immigrant's shirt.

Partially destroyed passports from Chile, Brazil and Colombia for these Haitians are being found on the Mexican side of the river which means that these individuals already had refugee status.  Receiving a passport means they had been in that country for several years, many have been in SA since 2014.  They're seeking an economic upgrade, not refuge.

[homersapien 11,367]

2 hours ago, aubaseball said:

You do know that most of these people were in Central America for many months , some years before traveling north.   They see an opportunity because the southern border is wide open.   
 

OK.  But what does that have to do with my post?

[SRBautigerfan 1,040]

9 hours ago, bigbird said:

Chris cuomo needs to look up what split reins are. That's not a whip...Unless he thinks anything leather held in the hand is a whip

 

Exactly.  There isn't a whip in that photo.  Are they really that stupid or is this just poor propaganda?