Authorities at the California (USA) border have revealed An increase in the number of Russian and Ukrainian citizens crossing from Mexico requesting political asylum, Which prompted them to strengthen control over the passage of private vehicles.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) closed more than half of the entry lanes from the border city of Tijuana (Mexico) so that Drivers show their IDs.
He explained that these immigrants It is transported in used Mexican vehicles thatThey buy cheaply to cross the border strip between the two countries in San Ysidro, and Once in the United States, they surrender themselves to federal officials seeking asylum.
The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection noted that This was the method used by the majority of the 6,400 Russian asylum seekers and about 1,000 Ukrainians between October 1 lastwhen the fiscal year began, and the end of January.
These are the latest available statistics, but an official said EFE On condition of anonymity that immigrants of both nationalities They have come more insistently since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
According to that official, Russians and Ukrainians travel from Europe to Mexico City or Mexican tourist destinations, then travel to Tijuana, buy cheap used cars and cross the border to seek asylum.
He noted that asylum seekers from Russia and Ukraine, unlike most Latin American countries, Once they are informed that they are seeking asylum, they can continue their asylum procedure together with their relatives and close friends.
Meanwhile, for the rest of the immigrants, President Joe Biden’s administration has maintained the Address 42 mechanism, a Donald Trump-era (2017-2021) health requirement in which border agents are allowed to immediately send Mexican territory to asylum seekers. As a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (me)
