Migrants are being housed in several camps spread around the California desert. Activists and volunteers claim that despite the migrants having been living in the camps for months, the government is not providing assistance.
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The migrants are dropped off in the camps after reaching the border, according to an exclusive NPR report. In one of the Jacumba camps, the outlet spoke with most Kurdish migrants, while other migrants were from Latin America. One woman tearfully explained that she fled from Honduras because she received threats for being gay and hadn’t spoken to her family in a month: “I won’t tell them I made it until I’m out of here.” Additionally, the camps are described as refugee camps since the tents are made out of tarps, rocks, and gathered wood.
Additionally, volunteers and migrants reported that hundreds of people are dropped off at the camps by Border Patrol, who then threatens to deport them if they leave. There is no help from Border Patrol officers. Thus, the volunteers and locals are the only individuals giving out food, drink, first aid, and baby formula.
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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said their agents and officers “prioritize the health and safety of all those they encounter by providing appropriate medical care and humanitarian assistance as needed.”
CBP prioritizes the most vulnerable migrant populations and transports them out of inclement weather to CBP processing facilities as quickly as possible.”
Some of the migrants believe that if they stay at the camps, they will be processed to receive asylum in the United States. However, an immigration lawyer told NPR that most of these migrants will be placed in removal processing since they crossed the U.S. border without permission and their chances of asylum are relatively low. Another concern is the weather change since winter is approaching, which can increase severe medical issues or death. Retired social worker Karen Parker said she’d seen people suffering from scorpion bites, seizures, diabetic emergencies, broken bones, and burns.
She added that it is frustrating that locals like herself have been helping migrants with resources when it is the government’s job to assist.
“They’re not taking any kind of responsibility or accountability. They need to let people in through the port of entry. They need to secure our border. I am for a secure border.”
