American officials express their worries regarding migration during meetings held in Mexico.
High-ranking officials from the Biden administration and New York City’s mayor separately visited Mexico City this week to address their concerns about the increasing migration.
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a conversation about migration with Alicia Bárcena, the Mexican counterpart. Additionally, he had discussions with the foreign ministers of Panama and Colombia. The talks were planned to carry on into Thursday, which would involve a meeting between U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City is currently journeying across Latin America to gain insights into the routes migrants choose when heading towards the United States. Additionally, he aims to raise awareness about the actual experiences faced by those who arrive in his city.
On Thursday morning, he had a planned meeting with a nun who manages a migrant shelter in Mexico City. After that, he was going to travel to Puebla, a city that is a major source of Mexican migrants arriving in New York, to meet with migrants and community leaders.
During a press conference held on Wednesday night in Mexico City, Adams expressed his desire to moderate the expectations of migrants embarking on their journeys. He also aimed to communicate that his city has reached its maximum capacity after accommodating approximately 120,000 migrants in the past year.
He joined a growing chorus of individuals urging for a more extensive worldwide reaction to the escalating influx of migrants to the United States.
PHOTOS: US officials bring concerns about migration to Mexico meetings
“I cannot reword.”
Blinken and other high-ranking American officials are in Mexico for talks on common security concerns, primarily focusing on the illegal trade of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Additionally, they will address issues related to arms trafficking and the growing migration.
The latest round of the High-Level Security Dialogue brings Blinken, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, among others, together with their Mexican counterparts.
President Joe Biden’s administration is facing mounting pressure from Republicans and fellow party members to address the issue of increased migration and take steps to reduce the number of migrants entering the country.
According to data released in September, the U.S. Border Patrol recorded 181,509 arrests at the Mexican border in August. This number represents a 37% increase from July but shows little variation compared to August 2022. However, it remains significantly lower than the over 220,000 arrests made in December.
The U.S. has tried to get Mexico and countries farther south to do more. In April, the U.S., Panama and Colombia announced a campaign to slow migration through the treacherous Darien Gap dividing Colombia and Panama. But migration through the jungle has only accelerated and is expected to approach some 500,000 people this year.
