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Rampant Patterns of Cruelty

Aug 11, 2023 | Asylum, Asylum Ban, Blog, Human Migration, Human Rights, Latest Posts, Law Enforcement

These past few weeks have clearly showcased, how US immigration piecemeal policies and illegal state intrusion of federal immigration enforcement laws, have created the conditions that allow for the infliction of rampant patterns of cruelty against families and children, seeking refuge and safety at our border. This is a time for your faith values to propel you into action. We, the people, have the privilege to speak up, to demand our fellow brothers and sisters be treated with respect and dignity, while they seek the opportunity to just live another day. 

Matamoros

Last week, migrant families stuck waiting for CBP One appointments in the make-shift encampment in Matamoros reported to local NGOs an alarming occurrence. Migrants shared video and recordings depicting a bright light, directed at the asylum encampment coupled with a loud blaring noise, playing a recorded audio, warning migrants to not cross the river. This occurred throughout several nights, not letting anyone sleep, and scaring the children. Reportedly, Texas DPS from the US side of the river were responsible for this torturous conduct.

This week, local NGOs reported that there were dangerously false rumors that had been spread to the migrants stuck in the asylum encampments along the border. One false rumor was that CBP One was going to be eliminated and the other, was that ports of entry would be open on such a date encouraging people to go to the bridge to be processed into the US. A trusted local NGO stated that they saw immigration officials on the Mexican and US side gear up with shields. The US Consulate in Matamoros issued an alert advising people to avoid the area.  

Juarez

These false rumors seek to instill more fear into an already desperate population that is stuck in precarious conditions while waiting for a CBP One appointment. Despite NGOs reassuring migrants that the rumors were false, such real fear led many to believe the rumors. Indeed these false rumors led migrant families in Juarez to approach the bridge where they were met with violence as “CBP officers deployed their pepper ball firing system on various occasions until the crowd dispersed back to Mexico.”

Eagle Pass

After two bodies were found near the buoys in Eagle Pass last week, US Representative Joaquin Castro led a congressional delegation to the site. Representative Joaquin Castro released a video depicting the razor blades in between each buoy and stated:  

“The state government and (Gov.) Greg Abbott are treating human beings like   animals. These are folks who are asylum-seekers who are trying to petition for asylum in the United States and this is how the men, women and children what they’re seeing here when they try to present themselves for asylum. It’s incredibly dangerous. It’s incredibly inhuman and that’s the reason that I’ve said that it’s barbaric,”

 

Texas Impact Response

Rev. Franz Schemmel, pastor of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Weatherford, Texas and Chairman of Board of Directors of Texas Impact issued an open letter to Governor Greg Abbott regarding the two drowned migrants found in the Rio Grande River near Eagle Pass. He writes:

“Our religious texts direct us to welcome the sojourner.” And “No religious tradition among those represented by Texas Impact allows for treating economic migrants, political asylees, or their children and families this way. You characterize migrants as invaders, criminals and enemies of our state. Our faith traditions teach the opposite.”

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