Mexico Buses Migrants 1,000 Miles South to Appease U.S. Migration Demands
A quick look at the main news from U.S.-Mexico border
Mexico Buses Migrants 1,000 Miles South to Appease U.S. Migration Demands
Simon Romero y Paulina Villegas, The New York Times.- In response to U.S. pressures to control migration flows, Mexico has implemented a secretive busing program that transports migrants approximately 1,000 miles from the U.S. border to southern Mexico, specifically to cities like Villahermosa. This program contrasts sharply with Mexico's public stance on humane migration handling, revealing a harsher reality of its role in enforcing U.S. border policies.
Many migrants, including families like Rosa Guamán's from Ecuador, find themselves unexpectedly relocated far from their intended U.S. destinations, stranded without clear information or support. This practice has led to significant emotional, physical, and financial burdens for the migrants, as they often have to endure difficult journeys and cope with disorientation and disappointment upon arrival.
The National Migration Institute of Mexico, while sometimes framing these actions in humanitarian terms, effectively uses the busing strategy to reduce overcrowding in northern cities and to decrease visible migrant flows to the U.S. This method, however, is criticized for its lack of transparency and legality, particularly concerning migrants' rights to legal representation and proper processing.
Statistics show a drastic reduction in U.S. border apprehensions in early 2024, suggesting the busing tactic's temporary effectiveness. Yet, this approach has been met with mixed reactions locally in Mexico, ranging from silent acceptance by some in alignment with the government to criticism and resistance from local communities and migrant advocates who view the program as an unethical and ineffective solution to a complex issue.
Civil Groups in Ciudad Juárez Present Policy Proposals to Mayoral Candidates
Anabel Rojas. La Verdad Juárez: Days before the election, Ciudad Juárez's Civil Society Organizations Assembly members presented a citizen-driven agenda to mayoral candidates. They convened discussions over two sessions, outlining their proposals regarding city council transparency, budget allocations, advertising expenses, qualifications for municipal directors, career services, environmental issues, and public works. The candidates, MarÃa Esther MejÃa Cruz from Movimiento Ciudadano and Rogelio Loya Luna from the Juntos Defendamos a Chihuahua coalition received these proposals during the first session at La Rodadora interactive museum. They both signed an acknowledgment of the agenda, committing to engage with these organizations and address the proposed policies.
Giuliani Not Yet Served With Arizona Indictment Despite Multiple Attempts
Yvonne Wingett Sanchez & Holly Bailey, The Washington Post.- Prosecutors have made several attempts to serve Rudy Giuliani with a summons for his indictment by an Arizona grand jury but have so far been unsuccessful. The indictment, issued on April 24, charges Giuliani and 17 others with involvement in efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in Arizona. While other defendants have been served, attempts to reach Giuliani at his New York apartment were blocked, and calls to various numbers have not succeeded. The charges relate to Giuliani's actions following the election, including making baseless claims and attempting to alter electoral outcomes in favor of Trump. If Giuliani fails to appear for his court date, prosecutors may escalate to issuing an arrest warrant.
Republicans Use Cuellar's Indictment to Target Broader Democratic Base in South Texas Races
Matthew Choi, the Texas Tribune.- Republicans are strategically focusing on linking Rep. Henry Cuellar's bribery allegations to Democrats in other competitive South Texas races rather than trying to flip his district directly. National Republican groups previously invested heavily in Cuellar's district but are now directing their efforts towards associating the corruption charges against Cuellar with other Democratic candidates nearby, despite these candidates having no direct involvement in Cuellar's alleged crimes. This approach aims to tarnish the broader Democratic image rather than focusing on winning Cuellar’s specific seat, which he has held securely in past elections despite challenges.
Tijuana Police District Chief Assassinated Leaving Home
Summary by Redacción Zeta: Julio César Silva Herrera, the District Chief for Tijuana’s central zone, was fatally shot on the morning of May 14 as he was leaving his home in the Villa del Real I neighborhood. The incident, reported just before 8 AM, involved gunfire heard around Cucapah Avenue. Responding officers from the Municipal Police and Red Cross, paramedics found a black Volkswagen Golf riddled with bullet holes across the windshield, hood, and driver’s side window, alongside damage to the passenger window. Silva Herrera was pronounced dead at the scene, marking a grim escalation in violence targeting police officials in the region.