CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, March 12 (Reuters) – U.S. authorities detained hundreds of Venezuelan migrants entering the country from Mexico on Sunday, a large group seeking asylum in the United States after breaking through Mexican roads, blocked by barbed wire and barricades. and shields.
Migrants frustrated by problems getting nominations to claim asylum using a new US government app have gathered at the border town of Ciudad Juarez with Mexico, but have been unable to cross the crossing that connects the two countries.
Many of the migrants were accompanied by young children.
At one point, some migrants tried to throw an orange, plastic barrier at the American line, Reuters images show. Some said pepper spray was used to repel them.
“Please, we want to go in so we can help our families,” sobbed Camila Paz, 18, from Venezuela. “So I have a future and can help my family.”
Neither US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) nor the Mexican government’s National Migration Commission immediately responded to requests for comment.
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[1/2] Immigrants, mostly from Venezuela, attempt to enter the Paso del Norte International Bridge during protests seeking asylum in the United States, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on March 12, 2023, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. REUTERS/ Jose Luis Gonzalez
After some pushing and shoving with officials, the crowd of immigrants eventually retreated, some making their way to the banks of the Rio Grande, where they were watched over by U.S. immigration officials stationed on the other side.
Many immigrants have grown weary of the asylum process since the Biden administration made CBP One, an app available to them, to streamline applications.
They say the app has been plagued by persistent glitches and high demand, leaving them stranded in dangerous border areas.
The US Department of Homeland Security says recent app updates will simplify and speed up the process.
Describing his situation as “terrible, terrible”, Bass said he had been trying to cross the border for a month, his money was missing and he was no closer to claiming asylum.
“We need answers,” he said, adding that the “(CBP One) application did nothing for us.”
Reporting by Jose Luis Gonzalez Additional reporting by Dave Graham; Editing Lincoln Feast.
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