{"id":308463,"date":"2024-08-26T19:21:23","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T23:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncuba.news\/en\/?p=308463"},"modified":"2024-08-26T19:21:23","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T23:21:23","slug":"the-border-of-the-american-dream-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/digital-channel\/gallery\/the-border-of-the-american-dream-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"The border of the American dream: Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"

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According to demographic data recently published on the <\/span>website of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP)<\/span><\/a>, in the current fiscal year \u2014 October 1, 2023-September 30, 2024 \u2014 1,925,773 encounters between migrants and the Border Patrol were recorded on the southern U.S. border until July.<\/span><\/p>\n

These are citizens of more than 80 countries, among which the most frequent ones \u2014 in descending order \u2014 are Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Cuba, with more than 131,612 of its citizens detained for crossing illegally, is at the bottom of the ranking. However, it is not a negligible number at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the trend continues, the final figure for the remainder of the fiscal year is likely to be below the 2.4 million recorded last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, alarm bells are ringing because it is an election year in the United States. Especially when the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has resumed his traditional anti-immigrant offensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Agents from the River Unit belonging to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service guard the waters of the Rio Grande. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A month ago, at the Republican National Convention, the former president stated, without any evidence, that immigrants come from prisons, they come from jails, they come from mental institutions and asylums and that the terrorists (sic) are arriving in numbers never seen before.<\/span><\/p>\n

CNN\u2019s fact-checking team debunked these falsehoods one by one with interviews with experts and concrete figures<\/span><\/a>. Even so, Trump\u2019s incriminating and xenophobic rhetoric has generated concern in some sectors, due to the consequences it could have.<\/span><\/p>\n

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has warned about these xenophobic speeches. In <\/span>a report\u00a0<\/span><\/a>by the institution, created in 1922 and which brings together 155 human rights organizations in nearly 100 countries, it points out that these descriptions express \u201ca tendency to criminalize immigration, making migrants who enter a national territory without having all the administrative papers in order look like \u2018criminals.\u2019 This is frequently accompanied by an amalgamation between undocumented migrants and terrorists. This evolution has serious consequences because it favors the legitimization of more repressive measures in the name of national security, diverting attention from the violations of the fundamental human rights of this population.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Group of migrants are deported from the United States following the executive order signed by Biden on June 4. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A dozen flights of deportees to various countries depart each week from multiple airports installed on the southwestern border of the United States. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arrests at the border have been reduced by about half compared to the historical maximum of 250,000 registered in December 2023. The current decrease is attributed, in part, to a controversial executive order signed by Biden on June 4.<\/span><\/p>\n

The measure establishes that migrants who cross the border illegally will not be eligible to request asylum, with exceptions: minors traveling alone, victims of trafficking, and people with medical emergencies. In addition, detainees are subject to express deportation and can only be interviewed by an asylum officer if they demonstrate what is called \u201ccredible fear\u201d of returning to their country of origin. The regulation will only be revoked if the daily average of apprehensions falls to 1,500 for a period of 14 consecutive days. For now, the figure has only been touched; therefore, the rule is in force.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Two migrants cross the wall at the border of New Mexico, in the United States, and the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The tightening of immigration measures to deter illegal border crossings began in May 2023 with the implementation of <\/span>Title 8<\/span><\/a>, an immigration regulation that replaced the previous Title 42; the latter was established as a \u201cpublic health policy\u201d during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Title 8 represented a significant shift in the U.S. border control\u2019s approach, giving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the ability to process and expel those who crossed the border illegally quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to DHS, a person expelled under this policy faces a ban on admission to the United States for at least five years. In addition, any subsequent attempt to enter the country illegally could result in criminal prosecution.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A group of migrants in the city of El Paso, Texas. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another factor that could explain the decrease in irregular entries is the growing use of the CBP One mobile application, launched by Customs and Border Protection in 2023. This free tool is available to migrants in central and northern Mexico and represents a crucial initial step for those seeking to apply for asylum in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although CBP One does not guarantee immigration status, it allows users to schedule appointments to appear at border ports of entry directly. With the appointment scheduled, migrants can wait at a location far from the border and only travel to appear at a port of entry on the indicated date.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A Guatemalan immigrant with her CBP One application appointment is interviewed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the McAllen\u2013Hidalgo\u2013Reynosa International Bridge. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Currently, only eight bridges are enabled to process CBP One applications: <\/span>Nogales<\/span><\/a>, Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Hidalgo, El Paso, Calexico, and San Ysidro. Between them, they handle about 1,500 appointments daily. Arriving migrants are evaluated and processed, which includes a biometric and biographical security check, as well as a background check. After this review, based on the analysis of each case, they can be considered for a humanitarian permit (parole) of up to two years to continue the process under Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. During this waiting period, they are given a work permit, which allows them to settle down and look for work while they move forward with their process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite this, as the November presidential elections approach, the possibility arises of a new wave of migration to the southwestern border of the country. With the possible reelection of figures who have maintained restrictive policies, such as Donald Trump, anxiety grows among migrant communities. Mario D\u2019Agostino, deputy municipal director of Public Safety and Health in El Paso, foresees an increase in the flow of migrants. \u201cIt is very likely,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHistorically, there has been a peak of migrants during an electoral period or change of government,\u201d said D\u2019Agostino. \u201cMore than scaring us, we must always be prepared. It is something specific to this area, not a contingency,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mario D\u2019Agostino, deputy municipal director of Public Safety and Health in El Paso, foresees an increase in the flow of migrants given the upcoming elections in the United States. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

D\u2019Agostino reflected that, although the United States government has the infrastructure to discourage immigration, \u201cwhat we have learned is that, despite everything, they keep coming. Even with death and the separation of families, people keep crossing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He gave as an example the avalanche of migrants between 2018 and 2019, despite the drastic measures implemented by the Trump administration. During that period, even under threats of criminal prosecution and family separation, thousands crossed the border in search of asylum.<\/span><\/p>\n

D\u2019Agostino, who has a favorable view on orderly migration, suggests that Trump\u2019s campaign speech, which includes promises to expel immigrants, should not be a cause for panic, since he does not believe there will be permanent changes. \u201cWe anticipate a wave of migration close to the election season, but outside of that, with the change of administrations, we do not expect significant changes,\u201d he stated categorically.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The McAllen\u2013Hidalgo\u2013Reynosa International Bridge seen from the United States to Mexico. Photo: Kaloian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the other hand, a few days ago a new measure was announced by the government that could be a breeding ground for the wave of migration predicted in the coming months: the temporary suspension of the <\/span>humanitarian parole<\/span><\/a> program.<\/span><\/p>\n

The news has generated uncertainty among migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, who depend on the program that allows legal entry into the United States of up to 30,000 people per month. For example, the most recent records indicate that the number of approved Cubans <\/span>reached 110.000<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision to halt travel permits came after a report revealed high levels of fraud, especially in sponsor applications. Although the measure is temporary, it could lead some to decide to take the irregular route, as many migrants find themselves in limbo, with expectations and plans frustrated.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A group of migrants at the McAllen\u2013Hidalgo\u2013Reynosa International Bridge. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What may come<\/b><\/p>\n

An analysis of Harris\u2019s work on immigration, according to PBS, reveals a more nuanced record than that presented by her critics or allies and at the same time offers a perspective on how the presidential candidate could address \u201cone of the country\u2019s most disconcerting concerns.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to authorities cited by PBS, in March 2021 the vice president was tasked with addressing the \u201croot causes\u201d of migration from what the United States calls the Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala) and finding a way to work with its leaders and with Mexico to enforce laws regulating migration in countries of origin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kamala Harris\u2019s campaign began airing a television ad days ago in which she promises that, as president, she would \u201chire thousands more border agents and crack down on fentanyl and human trafficking.\u201d November will be the final word.<\/span><\/p>\n

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More than a million migrants seek to cross the southwestern border of the United States every year. Photo: Kaloian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Read the first two installments of the series:<\/em><\/p>\n