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(TECUN UMAN, Guatemala) — The bridge spanning the Suchiate River between Mexico and Guatemala used to be open but again for trade on Sunday, but few migrants had been crossing after a failed attempt to barge thru by thousands of Central Americans the earlier day.
Higher than 2,000 migrants spent the evening in Tecun Uman, on the Guatemalan facet of the border, risky of their next steps.
Mexico, forced by the U.S. to dwell the northward drift of migrants, is offering those who turn themselves over to authorities quick-term jobs in southern Mexico, doubtless in agriculture or construction. But quite loads of the migrants would moderately poke thru the nation to take a stumble on at to begin a brand contemporary lifestyles in the US.
Volunteers spooned out a sizzling breakfast of beans, eggs, tortillas and espresso on Sunday to a line of migrants that stretched across the Senor de las Tres Caidas church, a blue and white Spanish colonial-fashion structure with a bell perched on high that’s in the guts of Tecun Uman.
“We improvised this shelter for the reason that varied one used to be crowded,” acknowledged Alfredo Camarena, vicar of the Catholic church.
Camarena estimated that bigger than 2,000 migrants spent the evening in his church, in shelters or on the streets, and that numerous hundred more would arrive in the approaching days.
Mexican national guardsmen on Saturday slammed shut a metal fence that reads “Welcome to Mexico” to block the scurry of thousands of Central American migrants who tried to push their draw across the Rodolfo Robles Bridge.
Beyond the fence, on the Mexican facet of the border, Mexican troops in insurgent gear fashioned a human wall to toughen the barrier because the crew pressed forward.
Mexican Gen. Vicente Hernández stood previous the green bars, flanked by guardsmen, with an provide: Flip yourselves over to us, and the Mexican authorities will gain you jobs.
“There are opportunities for all,” he promised.
Migrants buying for permission to defend in Mexico handed thru in teams of 20. Because the day wore on, round 300 turned themselves over to Mexican immigration.
Mexico’s provide of employment, and never quick-witted moral direct, represents a brand contemporary twist in the nation’s efforts to search out humane alternatives to the mostly Central American migrants who’re fleeing poverty and violence of their dwelling countries.
Beneath probability of trade and varied sanctions from the U.S., Mexico has stepped up efforts in recent months to forestall migrants from reaching their desired last vacation direct: the U.S.
The Suchiate River has regularly been a level for standoffs, as migrants neighborhood collectively for energy in numbers, hoping that they can pressure their draw across the bridge, or wade across the river, to manual clear of immigration checks in Mexico.
The water ranges of the river have been low ample this weekend to enable those who dare to easily bolt across. Nationwide Guardsmen lined the banks to warn against such undertakings, with interactions that resemble a high-stakes game of rooster.
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Honduran Darlin Mauricio Mejía joined a dozen varied migrants for a splash on the banks of the Guatemalan facet of the river early Sunday.
Playfully, he shouted out to the guardsmen: Cease we step into Mexico to take hang of some mangos to indulge in?
Diagram to be a few of the guardsmen spoke back, curtly: “Let’s poke to immigration they normally’ll enable you to there.”
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Maria Verza reported from Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico.
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