Venezuelan migrants often face significant challenges when traveling through Mexico on their journey to the U.S. border. Mexico has implemented strict immigration policies under pressure from the Biden administration, resulting in a significant decrease in arrests of migrants, particularly Venezuelans. These efforts have included deterring migrants from entering the U.S. by keeping them closer to the southern border of Mexico and offering financial incentives to discourage return. The Biden administration relies heavily on Mexico to control migration, as it has become a top concern for voters as the president seeks reelection.
Large numbers of Venezuelan migrants have been arriving in the U.S. since 2021, initially by flying to Mexico and then making their way on foot and by bus. Mexico has imposed visa restrictions on Venezuelans, causing them to face additional challenges during their journey. The Mexican government has implemented measures such as deporting migrants, flying and busing them to southern Mexico, and even offering financial aid to deported migrants to discourage them from returning. Despite these efforts, many migrants find themselves struggling to navigate through corrupt officials and checkpoints, facing additional costs and delays on their journey.
Migrants, including Venezuelans, often find themselves resorting to hiking through difficult terrain and sleeping in makeshift shelters while waiting to enter the U.S. using the CBP One app. This process requires applicants to be in central or northern Mexico, further complicating their already challenging journey. While the app has facilitated the entry of over 500,000 migrants into the U.S. at land crossings, many migrants report feeling unsafe and vulnerable to criminal organizations and gangs that operate along the route.
The high number of Venezuelan migrants crossing the Darien Gap in Panama and heading to Mexico suggests that many are still fleeing political turmoil and economic decline in Venezuela. Despite the risks and challenges they face, many migrants feel that the potential rewards of reaching the U.S. are worth the wait and the hardships endured along the way. Some migrants express a preference for crossing the dangerous jungle rather than navigating through Mexico due to the various threats they face from both criminal organizations and corrupt officials.
The reduction in illegal crossings in states like Texas has been attributed to various efforts by local and federal authorities, including installations of barriers and increased security measures. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has played a role in these efforts, which have led to a decrease in Border Patrol arrests of Venezuelan migrants. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has acknowledged the contributions of Mexico in reducing border arrests, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the two countries in managing the flow of migrants.
Despite the challenges and risks involved in the journey through Mexico, some migrants like Marbelis Torrealba continue to make the trek in search of a better life in the U.S. Torrealba, who tragically lost her daughter during the journey, has faced numerous hardships along the way, including robbery and extortion by Mexican officials and criminal organizations. While some migrants manage to enter the U.S. legally through humanitarian grounds, others remain determined to cross the border by any means necessary, despite the dangers and uncertainties they face.
