Migrants receiving different welcome than Haitians 2 years-ago
1,149 views · Published 28 November 2018 · 3:16 · Indexed 8 November 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(23 Nov 2018) Tijuana opened its arms to thousands of Haitians to pursue a scaled-down American dream south of the border after the U.S closed its doors on them more than two years ago, but the thousands of Central Americans arriving there now are receiving a different welcome. "When the Haitians arrived they were very noble people and they arrived here orderly, they did not come demanding anything," said Miguel Ledezma, a senior resident of Tijuana. While many in Tijuana are sympathetic to the migrants' plight and attempt to assist them, some locals have shouted insults and even organize anti-caravan protests. Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum has said that anyone arriving in Tijuana must be prepared to work. In 2016, when then President Barack Obama's policy towards Haitians changed and entry to Haitian migrants was refused at all US border entry ports, many Haitians decided to stay in Mexico after that country's government gave them temporary transit permits. Many have since applied for Mexican residency. The majority in the Central American caravan so far have refused Mexico's repeated offers of residency or asylum and vowed to cross the border. Many of the Haitians have college degrees and factories that export to the U.S. have offered them employment. Other Haitian migrants can be found waiting tables and worshipping at congregations that added services in Creole. They opened beauty parlors, shops and restaurants, like Kriskapab Baborijinal, a bright blue and red cafe that is busy daily serving Mexicans and Haitians dishes of coconut rice, mashed plantains and goat stew. In the window is a sign for the Association of the Defense of Haitian Migrants. Philocles Juida, 44, is one of 11 Haitian immigrants who started the group a year ago to give the community a place to help itself with everything from Spanish lessons to paying medical bills. Judi has lived in Tijuana for almost two years and even though he wanted to get to the U.S when he first arrived to Tijuana, he has made a living by working in a factory in Mexico. "The Mexican people received me well, although what I earn is not enough to live, as my country has more difficulty in employment, I stayed there in Tijuana." Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/4121b2b17e23e8cb66fff082da782290
