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A migration deal with Mexico allows a lucky few legal transit to the United States. The remaining migrants from Venezuela are stranded somewhere in no man’s land.
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans are fleeing the dictatorship in their country. Their destination is the United States, but many are stranded at the border.
Almost a month ago, the US government signed a migration deal with Mexico: 24,000 Venezuelans can legally enter the US with a visa. For everyone else, the borders are closed. The US authorities can now deport illegal immigrants to Mexico.
Forced march through the jungle
Freelance journalist Sandra Weiss was on the escape route in Panama. There, after days of forced marching, the people arrive in a camp at the exit of the Darién jungle. The mangrove jungle at the transition from North and South America is one of the most dangerous escape routes in the world.
Legend:
There are no roads on the passage. “People walk through swamps full of mosquitoes, insects, leeches, crocodiles and poisonous snakes,” reports Weiss. “The refugees arrive in the camp on the other side completely emaciated.”
Keystone/AP/Fernando Vergara
The migrants the journalist met in Panama were resigned. As soon as they arrived, they found out that they had no chance of entering the USA. “The atmosphere was dramatic. Because they often sold everything they owned in Venezuela, their houses and belongings, to escape. Now they were practically left with nothing.”
Anyone who wants to benefit from the migration deal and thus get to the USA must meet various criteria. The application must be made in Venezuela itself or in third countries. You also need a guarantor in the USA, proof of solvency and a passport.
“riot topic” in the USA
But often people don’t even have a passport – because it costs around 200 US dollars in Venezuela. “Normal people in Venezuela can’t afford it,” says the German journalist. “Many of the people I was able to talk to didn’t have the other evidence either.” The route via the legal visa allocation to the USA therefore remains impossible for them.
The US also has a similar policy towards Cuba. A lucky few are awarded the right to enter the United States each year with a lottery. Here, too, the demand massively exceeds the supply.
The overwhelming majority of migrants want to go to the USA – and certainly not back to Venezuela.
The US midterm elections are on Tuesday. Republicans want to regain control of Congress. Traditionally, votes can be won on the issue of migration. “Migration has become a domestic political riot,” says Weiss.
Legend:
In camps like this one in Bajo Chiquito in Panama, many of the migrants are stranded. Your future is uncertain.
Keystone/EPA/Benvenido Velasco
A sustainable solution is politically hardly conceivable. “And so the deal with Mexico does not solve the structural problem of migration, but is just a drop in the bucket.”
Return is not an option
Thousands upon thousands of people are now stranded on their way to the United States. Weiss was also in a detention center in Guatemala. There, too, many people want to wait and see how the situation will develop after the midterm elections in the USA. “They hope that there will be some relaxation and new opportunities to come to the country afterwards.”
Others also apply for asylum in the transit countries, such as Costa Rica. One thing is clear for Weiss: “But the overwhelming majority of migrants want to go to the USA – and definitely not back to Venezuela.”