At The U.S.-Mexico Border, Haitians Arrive To A Harsh Reception

Haitian nationals at a Mexican government immigration office near the port of entry between Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, and Nogales, Ariz., wait day after day for appointments with U.S. immigration agents so they can enter. As a result of the Haitian influx and a continuing surge of Central Americans on the Texas-Mexico border, the U.S. government has run out of detention space.  John Burnett/NPR

npr.org - by John Burnett - November 23, 2016

Desperate Haitian immigrants have been massing along the U.S.-Mexico border for months seeking humanitarian relief. In the past year more than 5,000 have sought entry into the United States — a 500 percent increase over the previous year . . .

 . . . But the U.S. welcome mat is gone, and the new wave of Haitians is in for a harsh reception.

The Homeland Security Department announced new rules in September. All Haitians who show up at the border without papers and who don't ask for asylum are now detained . . .

 . . . In recent months, the total number of immigrants in detention has jumped to 41,000. Normally, it's between 31,000 and 34,000.

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