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As an unprecedented numbers of Haitians and Africans are trying to reach the US, a refugee crisis is unfolding near the US-Mexico border.
With a high number of refugees fleeing to the US, refugee centres are now overwhelmed. Refugees arrive with little or no resources at all, and centres are struggling to meet requirements for basic needs such as water, food and clothes.
The wait is not over for asylum seekers who make it across the border; they will have to wait in detention centres for their legal hearings, which can take several weeks to months.
In 2016, between 2,000 and 3,000 refugees have applied for asylum in the US, but less than 300 were granted the refugee status.
“More cooperation between the two countries is required, because we may have a larger influx over the next few months. It is a crisis.”
– Jose Maria Ramos, Analyst
The scenario for many Haitians is further complicated since they may no longer qualify for asylum. On September 2016, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released an statement announcing the removal on a limited basis of Haitians, affirming that “the situation in Haiti has improved sufficiently to permit the US government to remove Haitians on a more regular basis…” (DHS Press Office).
Most refugees en-route to the US still remain unsure whether their journeys will be worthwhile, or if asylum will just be denied to them.
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