Texas governor defies federal order to remove anti-migrant buoys from river
GuardianAug 02, 2023
The Facts
Colombia's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that two offices for migrants hoping to reach the US would open in the country as part of a "Safe Mobility" initiative between the US and Latin American countries designed to curb dangerous migrant passages to the US.
Along with a third office in the city of Medellín that opened Aug. 1, the offices are part of a six-month "exploratory phase." In June, the US announced migrant processing centers would be opened in Guatemala.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The Safe Mobility offices are going to be a vital tool in stopping dangerous migration to the southern border. By allowing migrants to apply for asylum in the countries they are already present in, it could curtail loss of life and hamper human trafficking operations that smuggle migrants to the US. Other Latin American countries are interested in the plan, as it could help lessen the migration crisis gripping the continent.
Establishment-critical narrative
While this initiative sounds good in principle, the reality on the ground is that requirements for the Safe Mobility program are so stringent that the average migrant cannot even think of applying for asylum in the US. Those without financial means, a sponsor in the US, or the appropriate documentation are shut out of the program, excluding those who need the most help. This program is window dressing to mask America's continuing disregard for migrants.
