Current:Home > ScamsMexican authorities clear one of Mexico City’s largest downtown migrant tent encampments-InfoLens
Mexican authorities clear one of Mexico City’s largest downtown migrant tent encampments
View Date:2024-12-23 16:08:46
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican federal immigration authorities said Thursday they have cleared one of Mexico City’s largest downtown tent encampments of migrants.
The National Immigration Institute says the migrants had been forced to pay bribes of between $12 and $35 to an official, who they didn’t identify, for the right to pitch a tent in the tightly-packed space.
Most of the 432 migrants at the camp had some sort of visa allowing them to remain in Mexico, and simply agreed to leave. There were also some Mexican people at the camp, presumably homeless persons.
About 99 migrants were taken either to immigration offices or shelters. More than half of them were from Haiti, with most of the remainder either from Venezuela or Central America.
There used to be an office of the Mexican Commission on Refugee Aid, COMAR, nearby, but that office was closed on May 29.
Residents of the upscale but bohemian Juarez neighborhood, near the city’s center, had long complained that the largely paved pedestrian zone had been taken over for years.
They claimed it posed increased risks of crime, health hazards and deprived them of one of their few recreational areas.
The closure of such camps has had little political cost for the Mexican government in the past, and has often been welcomed by local residents.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this week, which may lead more migrants to remain in Mexico as they apply.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Michigan soldier’s daughter finally took a long look at his 250 WWII letters
- LeBron James to free agency after declining Los Angeles Lakers contract option
- US Track & Field Olympic trials live updates: Noah Lyles, Gabby Thomas win 200 finals
- Lautaro Martínez scores twice and Argentina playing without Messi beats Peru 2-0 to end group play
- Pennsylvania House Republicans pick new floor leader after failing to regain majority
- Ranking NFL division winners from least to most likely to suffer first-to-worst fall
- James Harden returns to Los Angeles in Clippers' first move of NBA free agency
- UFC 303 live results: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka fight card highlights, how to stream
- Wildfires burn on both coasts. Is climate change to blame?
- Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Mark the End of First Pride Month as a Couple in an Adorable Way
Ranking
- Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand
- Michael Blackson Shares His Secret to Long-Lasting Relationship With Fiancée Rada Darling
- Princess Anne, King Charles III's sister, leaves hospital after treatment for concussion, minor injuries
- NBA free agency tracker: LeBron opting out of contract but expected to return to Lakers
- Forget the bathroom. When renovating a home, a good roof is a no-brainer, experts say.
- US Track & Field Olympic trials live updates: Noah Lyles, Gabby Thomas win 200 finals
- Terry Dubrow and Heather Dubrow's Family Photos Are Just What the Doctor Ordered
- How are Texas, Oklahoma celebrating SEC move? Pitbull, pep rallies and more
Recommendation
-
13 Skincare Gifts Under $50 That Are Actually Worth It
-
Looking forward and back as the Civil Rights Act turns 60
-
Major brands scaled back Pride Month campaigns in 2024. Here's why that matters.
-
‘A Quiet Place’ prequel box office speaks volumes as Costner’s Western gets a bumpy start
-
Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments
-
The Daily Money: Still no relief at the supermarket
-
Knee injury knocks Shilese Jones out of second day of Olympic gymnastics trials
-
Lauren Graham and Her Gilmore Girls Mom Kelly Bishop Have an Adorable Reunion