Migrant Crisis: A dilemma for both Mexico and the U.S.?

A New wave of hundreds of Central American migrants is heading towards the Mexican border. They are going to cross News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico and heading to the United States. Trump will have New ammunition to support his plan of building a wall to stop the immigrants.

According to CGTN correspondent Al Baverstock, another migrant caravan of around 1,500 to 2,000 people is forming in the intersection of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. They are expected to cross the Mexican's southern border in the next few days, and their eventual target will be the United States.

Former News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico ambassador to the U.S. Arturo Sarukhan warns of a heated debate in News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico whether the government should take actions to prevent the migrants from entering the Mexican border. The previous administration in the United States asked News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico to stop the migrants, and News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico did so without seeking anything back from the United States. Opposition voice in News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico also criticizes that sending the migrants back violating the silent refugee rights. The contradiction constructs the core of the debate.

News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico traditionally had a generous asylum refugee policy. However, in the last decade, News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico faced difficulties in upgrading and revamping the legislation. The pressure from the U.S. side is growing. As a result, New Mexican President Obrador has been struggling over the dilemma that on the one hand to provide further assistance to some migrants of Central America further while on the other hand being pressured to hold on the refugee and asylum seekers from heading to the U.S.

Michael Johns, the co-founder of the U.S. National Tea Party Movement, indicates that Central America's situation will have a direct influence on U.S.' national interest. The U.S. policy in Central America has been designed to cultivate the market economy in the countries, in the hope of fostering democratic political regimes in the region.

The caravan, to some extent, is a good thing. The Hill Newspaper writer, Rafael Bernal, compares the current situation with four years ago when unaccompanied children and human trafficking groups were a more disturbing problem. Today's caravans are organized groups that tell you where they are going and what their plans are. It is much easier to control the security risk.

Migrants from News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico to the U.S. have been decreasing. Ambassador Sarukhan points out that the figure hit a net-zero around 2010 and some even say more Mexicans are going back from the United States. News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico, despite its slow economic growth, is creating jobs and the border area has become more dangerous than ever because organized crime and smuggling, plus the increased patrolling and security, make it more difficult to cross.

Michael thinks it is important to emphasize what the real number of illegal immigration is. A lot of areas need to be reformed because of illegal immigration, such as chain migration issue, border security issue and birthright citizenship, etc.

On the Mexican side, Ambassador Sarukhan sees a promising future for migration policy. He believes that President Obrador has a forward-looking plan that allows for an orderly legal flow of people who will temporarily work in News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico, meaning that the circular mobility will be transparent, legal and safe. On the other hand, News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico needs to enhance its operational control over the southern borders. News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico should be aware of its presence and its strategic position in securing the greater North America.

An unprecedented burden has been cast from President Donald Trump to the Mexican government. Both Ambassador Sarukhan and Rafael believe that Obrador will not be as submissive as his predecessor Nieto, and there is expected to see structural tensions between the U.S. and News.cn/tag/i0xgkzna1844cd84faf6f3/index.html" target="_blank">Mexico over the migration issue. The whole debate will finally be centered on whether this wall will be the right solution to a 21st-century problem.

(CGTN)