At the US-Mexico Border, Haitians Migrants Arrive to a Harsh Reception John Burnett - Nevada Public Radio
go to original November 23, 2016

San Juan Bosco, an immigrant shelter on a barren hilltop in Nogales, Mexico. Once the Haitian migrants cross the border they will join nearly 4,500 other Haitians currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (John Burnett/NPR)

Desperate Haitian immigrants have been massing along the U.S.-Mexico border for months seeking humanitarian relief. In the past year more than 5,000 have sought entry into the United States - a 500 percent increase over the previous year.

After the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti, thousands of citizens migrated to Brazil looking for work. But as Brazil has slipped into recession in recent years, many of them have hit the road again, heading north on a 6,000-mile journey to the U.S. border - by every means of conveyance.

"Taxi, bus, plane, bicycle, boat, horses, and we've walked for five days," says Pierre Smith, 34, a smiling, broad-faced accountant from Port-au-Prince. He's staying at the San Juan Bosco, an immigrant shelter on a barren hilltop in Nogales, Mexico, while he and 100 of his countrymen wait to cross into Nogales, Ariz.

These Haitians want the same generous benefits that were extended after the earthquake, when they got protection from deportation and temporary work permits. But the U.S. welcome mat is gone, and the new wave of Haitians is in for a harsh reception.

Read the rest at Nevada Public Radio

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