U.S. urges Haitians not to take the “dangerous road” to its border

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The government insisted Monday (20) that migrants who arrive at the country’s southern border illegally will be “returned” to their nations of origin after the massive crossing in recent days of more than 13,000 migrants, mainly from Haiti.

“If you come to the United States illegally, you will be sent back. Your journey will be unsuccessful and will endanger your life and the lives of your family,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told a press conference in Del Rio, Texas.

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Mayorkas made these statements after receiving the latest update from immigration authorities on the situation in that town in south Texas and the border with Ciudad Acuna (Mexico).

The head of DHS said he is concerned that Haitians who are arriving in the U.S. “are receiving false information that the border is open or that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is available.”

“That is false information, irregular migration poses a serious security risk to the migrants themselves who are trying to enter the United States illegally,” he added.

In this regard, he said that the TPS would be received “only by Haitians who were living in the U.S. before July 29” and also recalled that they can receive this immigration protection only if they meet specific requirements.

Thus, he insisted that individuals and families arriving now to the southern border “are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion.”

On Sunday, the United States began deporting dozens of Haitians held in the makeshift camp under the bridge and moved others to different locations along the border, such as Eagle Pass, some 90 kilometers to the southeast. In addition, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has sent 600 agents to the Del Rio area to increase the pace of immigration processing.

According to Mayorkas, President Biden’s government intends to increase the capacity of the three daily deportation flights to Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.