Joining Laura is an independent journalist who has been covering the crisis for years on both sides of the border. Mexican authorities and the DHS were reached out to for a statement, but neither responded. The migrants are being asked why they are coming now and who is behind this.
Migrants Coming Now Because the Border is Open
When interviewing migrants on the Mexican side, one of the main questions asked is why they are coming now. The answer they give is that the border is open. They talk about President Biden and how they believe they will be helped under his administration. This is the main reason they give for coming now instead of before.
Under President Trump, they were aware of his strict immigration policies and didn’t want to risk coming and getting deported. But now, with the perception that the Biden administration will be more lenient, they feel it is safer to attempt crossing the border.
One migrant from Venezuela, who was kicked out of an NGO and couldn’t afford a bus ticket, expressed frustration and questioned who will help them now that they are on the streets without any money. This mindset of relying on assistance is prevalent among the migrants.
Migrants Expecting Government Assistance
The migrants have been led to believe that things will be paid for and they will be taken care of once they arrive in the United States. Many of them are coming from socialist or communist countries where the government provides everything. They have the same mindset when coming to the United States, expecting handouts and free resources.
Some migrants have even asked how they can get a free vehicle or a free house, showing their belief that the government will provide everything for them. This expectation is based on misinformation and lack of understanding about the reality of living in the United States.
Contradiction to the Narrative
There is a contradiction between the narrative that migrants are only coming to work and the reality of their expectations. While there is a need for workers in certain sectors, the majority of migrants in the Del Rio sector are from Venezuela and other Central American countries. They come from countries with socialist or communist systems where the government provides everything.
These migrants believe that the United States government will also provide for them, leading to unrealistic expectations and potential strain on the resources of the country. The reality is that many Americans have done the jobs migrants are willing to do, but the expectation of free resources creates a different dynamic.
Frustration for Legal Process
For individuals like the journalist, who is a U.S. citizen married to a Mexican national, the lengthy and expensive legal process of bringing their spouse to the United States is frustrating. They have been waiting for five years to enter legally, while witnessing thousands entering the country illegally and receiving a free pass under the current administration.
This frustration is shared by many families who are trying to do things legally and reunite with their relatives. The disparity between the legal process and the ease of crossing the border illegally is causing frustration and may impact future elections.