Shelters in southern Mexico see an increase in men migrating alone with their children

Juan Manuel Blanco

Tapachula (Mexico), June 2. Shelters on the southern border of Mexico report a 10% increase in the number of men migrating alone with their children, which shows that mothers are now ahead of their journey to the United States.

Dozens of men with children have arrived in Tapachula, on the border with Guatemala, in recent weeks to flee poverty, political crises and with the intention of crossing Mexico to the United States, despite the new restrictions that have been implemented in That country.

Lorenza Obdulia Reyes Núñez, director of the “Todo por Ellos” shelter, stressed that another factor is that the wives now go ahead and the men migrate with the little ones to catch up with them.

“It is an increase of 10% that men with children come. I admire myself. It is usual for the mother to come alone with the child, but not men. But (now) they are coming. The countries where they are coming from are from Guatemala and Venezuela, ”he explained to EFE.

Humberto Rubio, a 35-year-old migrant from Guatemala, is one of hundreds of men who have arrived in Tapachula with their children.

Rubio has made his journey with two boys, ages 8 and 9.

“I can get to the United States to a restaurant earning in dollars and being able to raise a little more and offer a better future for my children,” he told EFE.

This migrant, who was a waiter in Guatemala, pointed out that taking his children with him is not so difficult because he is used to it, but it is still difficult for him to be absent from the mother.

He was also open to remaining in Mexico if the United States prevents him from entering.

“If it were not the United States, Mexico has many states where it has good restaurants. There is Monterrey, Guadalajara, Tijuana. For me, it is not an option to return, since Mexico opens the doors to settle and work, (although) the final destination is United States,” he said.

DRAMA BETWEEN MORE RESTRICTIONS

The family drama reflects the growing immigration restrictions in the United States, which in May replaced Title 42, a measure to expel migrants on the grounds of the pandemic, with Title 8 and new limits to request legal asylum.

One of the difficulties faced by single men who migrate with children is that there is no one to care for their children while they look for work or sustenance.

However, the “Todo Por Ellos” shelter has offered them help to care for the minors while the guardian works and does the paperwork for regularization documents.

Reyes Núñez maintained that in this shelter there are people from Peru, Cuba, Venezuela, Guatemala, and even Mexico.

Many of the migrants who arrive with minors do not have money to pay for a hotel or lodging, which is why many remain on the streets or take refuge in shelters.

The director of “Todo por Ellos” established that her shelter is overrun and irregular migration has not stopped, as the authorities presume after the end of Title 42.

Applications at his shelter have grown by more than 70%. EFE

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