The streets of El Paso, Texas are filled with migrants waiting to learn their fate after entering the country illegally. The authorities have been preparing for days a special operation to prepare for the fall of Title 42, which, according to the U. S. Northern Command, will include more than 1,500 agents to reinforce the southern border in the coming days.
#ICYMI.... pic.twitter.com/8y0BqmZzcE
— U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) May 8, 2023
The soldiers, mostly from the Army, will collaborate with Border Patrol(CPB) authorities who are already working in border towns such as El Paso to address the effects that this migration crisis is having on the country. They, explains Karina Yapor, have been evicting buildings such as the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for days. A few days ago, the temple was surrounded by mattresses, sheets and blankets where migrants stayed waiting for their destination. Now there are only a few public toilets and stories of both the migrants who decided to turn themselves in to the authorities and others who were detained.
Migrants tell VOZ MEDIA why they choose to cross the border
Roner is a case in point. From Valencia, Venezuela, the man was detained after illegally crossing the border two weeks ago. He has just been released from prison and has obtained a paper that allows him to stay in the country, albeit for only one year. He did not enter the country alone, but with his nine cousins in search of the "American dream". That promise of "a better economy" that reaches many migrants who come to the United States in search of a better future and fleeing countries like Venezuela where, the man explains, "the government swindles you."
However, the situation they found when they arrived in the country was different: "I didn't think I would be greeted like this when I arrived," says Roner. He explained to the Voz Media presenter how he was detained one day after entering the country. His release came with one condition: to be reachable at all times. The authorities gave him acell phone with GPS, a substitute for the anklet, which he must answer as soon as he receives a call. Not only that, they also decided to which American city Roner should move: "I wanted to go to Miami [donde tiene familia] and they sent me to Chicago without my authorization," he explained.
Authorities prepare for the end of Title 42
Roner is not the only one who will spend hours or days in a border office. And not all of them will be able to stay in the country. Acting CBP Director Troy Miller explained that "entering the country without proper documentation will remain illegal" despite the fall of Title 42. For that reason, he assured that the organization is "rapidly increasing its resources to detain individuals and complete their immigration and removal processing."
CBP has been preparing for the end of Title 42. Nevertheless, we are facing a very difficult situation. When Title 42 ends, CBP will continue to use longstanding immigration authorities under our laws to prosecute unauthorized individuals and impose consequences.
CBP has been preparing for the end of Title 42. Notwithstanding this, we are facing a very challenging situation. When Title 42 ends, CBP will continue using long-standing immigration authorities under our laws to process individuals without authorization & impose consequences. pic.twitter.com/ZprzOtgvyF
— CBP Troy Miller (@CBPTroyMiller) May 10, 2023
Homeland Security is collaborating closely in this operation and also reminded all migrants, through a video on their social networks, that they should not listen to the coyotes as entering the country illegally remains illegal and will have consequences:
Don’t listen to smugglers – get the facts about the U.S. immigration system. This new digital ad campaign sends messages directly to potential migrants in Central and South America that U.S. immigration laws are tougher under Title 8. https://t.co/fKLrb9YevF pic.twitter.com/aKSck37LWI
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 10, 2023
VOZ MEDIA moves to the Mexican side of the border
From the Mexican side, everything has remained mostly the same as in previous months, but now migrants find a wire fence when crossing the Rio Grande. Karina Yapor showed images of these migrants' final steps before reaching the United States. She went to the point on the bridge that crosses the U.S.-Mexico border. Since Texas state authorities have taken such extraordinary measures, there is a much greater police presence at these crossing points. In addition to the uniformed personnel from the National Guard and Border Patrol, there are also Texas State Police vehicles. If the migrants make it through the razor wire, they have to jump over the controversial wall that lines the border of the two countries.