- US authorities begin removing groups of mostly Haitian migrants from the Texan border
- Haitians have created a large makeshift camp just outside the border after getting across the Rio Grande, a river separating Mexico and the US
- US authorities have been aiming to reduce the flow of Central Americans and Haitians, who are fleeing poverty, gang violence and natural disasters
- The camp under the international bridge has attracted more than 12,000 migrants
US authorities have begun removing groups of mostly Haitian migrants from the Texan border.
Haitians have created a large makeshift camp just outside the border after getting across the Rio Grande separating Mexico and the US.
The US is now sending flights back, with the first one arriving in Haiti on Sunday.
The camp under the international bridge attracted more than 12,000 migrants at one point, marking a new challenge for the US authorities.
Thread: A day in the migrant camp of about 14,000, mainly Haitians, near the border bridge in Del Rio, Texas. pic.twitter.com/0BpD4EZsxR
— Molly Hennessy-Fiske (@mollyhf) September 20, 2021
US authorities have been aiming to reduce the flow of Central Americans and now many Haitians who are fleeding from poverty, gang violence and natural disasters.
Since Friday the US has moved 3300 migrants from Del Rio, Texas, and has announced a new daily schedule of flights to the Haitian Capital, Port-au-Prince.
“Over the next six to seven days, our goal is to process the 12,662 migrants that we have underneath that bridge as quickly as we possibly can,” US Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told a news conference in Del Rio, Texas.
“Our #bordercrisis goes beyond the RGV and South TX communities — the smuggling of drugs, people, and weapons reaches far and wide, and it affects all of us. I will continue to work tirelessly to secure our border and protect the people of Texas.” — @GregAbbott_TX pic.twitter.com/2kMkse29l2
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) September 18, 2021
Migrants continue to cross the river despite heightened security on the US side, with some returning to Mexico to avoid being sent back to Haiti.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas and has been hit by disasters in recent years, including a major earthquake last month.