This Christmas was quite hard for many, I am referring to many migrants who left their houses in their countries in search of the American dream in the USA, a dream that really is no longer, a dream that is just a mirage of the past, when residing or visiting this country, even for a short period – achieved enormous economic advances.
Many immigrants have ventured to leave their countries due to lack of opportunities in the midst of a major global crisis that affects many countries. And even in the midst of uncertainty, they begin these trips that often become a moment of sadness for them.
Many are left stranded at a cruel border, which does not allow them to cross due to lack of permission, and they have to suffer cold and hunger, waiting for a helping hand to pass them some water and food while they manage to reach the entrance and are granted the blessed ‘conditional release’ or parole that allows them to enter legally and be able to work, while their asylum requests – mostly unfounded – are processed.
For others, the mirage fades when they are deported back to their countries of origin as soon as they cross, due to new, last-minute emerging US policies. Thus, their dreams become true nightmares for them and their relatives who had to sell belongings or pawn their houses to be able to pay for their dangerous and uncertain odysseys. Along the way many are robbed, kidnapped and the women raped.
In some places they are well received.
In McAllen, Texas, Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which runs the facility, says Christmas celebrations especially are a time when immigrants coming to this country should be welcomed. with open arms.
“Many of their families are still separated. They uprooted themselves and left everything behind: everything they are, you know, their culture, their food, their friends, their everything. And it’s not an easy thing,” he said. They offer them shelter, clothes and food
The challenges are many, and very dangerous, but when there is hope and a light on the other side of the tunnel, it is worth the risk for many, even if it is painful.
For a good number, the pain has been felt firsthand lately.
“Ambulances take them daily to hospitals in El Paso, San Diego and Tucson, Arizona, writhing in pain: bones protruding from arms and legs; skulls broken; spines shattered. The men and women arrive on stretchers flanked by an officer in the revealing green uniform of the United States Border Patrol.
“One look and I know it’s another wall fall,” said Brian Elmore, an emergency medicine doctor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, The New York Times reports.
The patients are all immigrants who crashed to the ground while trying to scale the wall that separates Mexico and the United States along long stretches of the border.
“In a quest to stop unauthorized immigration, the U.S. government has expanded the length and height of fortifications in recent years, and the Biden administration has authorized a new stretch. But many immigrants have not been deterred by barriers, and for hundreds of them, the result has been debilitating injuries requiring multiple surgeries, according to doctors who work in American hospitals near the border.
Caring for patients can impose a considerable financial burden because immigrants typically lack insurance but often require multiple complex surgeries and prolonged hospital care, the report explains.
Buses loaded with people who have just crossed the Texas line – which is where migrants mostly cross – head towards the sanctuary states of New York or Chicago by mandate of the Texas government, and thus prevent them from depleting the resources of the local economy. by becoming a public charge.
Upon arriving in these states, many cannot fit into the overcrowded shelters and have to sleep in parks and sidewalks in these sanctuary cities. This is causing the repudiation of local residents who already suffer from a lack of housing and jobs, and feel betrayed by their political representatives when they see that their taxes are used to support these immigrants – who say they know nothing about them, since they crossed the border without proper immigration inspection.
An orderly immigration policy could resolve this immigration crisis that exceeds the capacity to process immigrants.
The bipartisan Dignity Act (H.R. 3599), spearheaded by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Verónica Escobar (D-TX), has made significant progress in the House of Representatives since it was introduced last May.
Dozens of prominent stakeholders have weighed in, including support from across the business sector, immigration groups, the agricultural community, the faith community, educators, economic experts, community leaders, ambassadors and United States senators.
If you would like to add your voice of support to the Dignity Act, please email JMK@mail.house.gov and jgo@mail.house.gov.
