A City of Lost Hopes: Migrants Stranded in Ciudad Juarez
The Dream Deferred: Migrants’ Hopes Shattered by Policy Changes
Ciudad Juarez, a bustling city on the US-Mexico border, has become a symbol of dashed hopes for many migrants seeking asylum in the United States. Among them is Jose Guillermo Cabrera, a 33-year-old Venezuelan migrant who arrived in the city with his family, filled with excitement and anticipation. After months of navigating the complex asylum process in southern Mexico, Cabrera had finally secured an appointment with US immigration authorities. The appointment was meant to be their pathway to a safer future, a chance to present their case for asylum. However, just one day before their scheduled meeting, their hopes were crushed when the CBP One app, the platform through which they had booked their appointment, was abruptly shut down by an executive order from President Donald Trump. "They shut off our dreams," Cabrera lamented, his voice heavy with defeat.
The Closure of the CBP One App: A Devastating Blow
Until Trump’s inauguration on January 20, migrants fleeing violence or persecution had the option to schedule an appointment at a legal US port of entry through the CBP One app. This platform offered a glimmer of hope for those seeking refuge, providing a legal pathway to present their cases. However, with the stroke of a pen, this pathway was closed, leaving thousands of migrants stranded. Many, like Cabrera, had traveled for weeks, even months, to reach Ciudad Juarez, only to find that their carefully planned appointments had been canceled. The sudden shutdown of the app has left these individuals in a state of limbo, with no clear direction or resources to fall back on. "We are left adrift, we have no resources left," Cabrera said, his family now struggling to make ends meet in an unfamiliar city.
The Human Cost: Stories of Struggle and Resilience
The impact of the CBP One app’s closure is not just bureaucratic; it is deeply personal. Migrants like Erlianny Colombie, a 41-year-old Cuban national, had invested immense effort and resources into securing an appointment. Colombie and his three relatives had been living in Tapachula, a town in southern Mexico, where they worked and waited for their chance to apply for asylum. When they finally received an appointment, they sold what little they had, secured the necessary permissions, and traveled to Ciudad Juarez, only to find that their appointment had been canceled. "We did everything legally," Colombie said, his voice tinged with desperation. "We had enough money for the night before our appointment, and now we are on the streets." Colombie fled Cuba due to political persecution and now finds himself in a precarious situation, pleading with President Trump to reconsider the cancellation of their appointments.
The Search for Solutions: Shelters and Support Systems
In the face of this crisis, migrant shelters in Ciudad Juarez have stepped in to provide some measure of support. Casa del Migrante, a shelter located about 10 miles from the border, has been offering food, shelter, and psychological aid to migrants whose appointments were canceled. Ivonne Lopez, a social worker at the shelter, described the emotional toll on the migrants, many of whom had already endured the treacherous journey through the Darién Gap, a notorious jungle passage between South America and North America. "Right now, they are emotionally destroyed," Lopez said. "They want a sign of hope, they want to know what’s going to happen with them." Despite the challenges, many migrants are determined to hold on to hope, buoyed by the support of shelters and the efforts of lawyers working on their behalf.
The Hard Reality: Local Officials Urge Migrants to Reconsider
While shelters offer a temporary reprieve, local officials have been frank about the realities facing migrants. Enrique Serrano, a coordinator from Chihuahua state’s population agency, has been clear in his messaging: "We have to tell it like it is, sadly, all appointments are suspended as well as any possibility of getting one." Serrano has urged migrants not to waste their time hoping for a change in their fortunes at the border. "They won’t obtain anything by trying at the crossing points hoping for the US to receive them," he said. Despite this blunt assessment, Serrano emphasized that Mexican authorities are working to provide support to migrants, with shelters operating at 40% capacity and efforts underway to expand protective spaces in anticipation of potential mass deportations from the US.
A Glimmer of Hope: Migrants Refuse to Give Up
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the migrants CNN spoke to remain determined to pursue their dreams of a safer, brighter future. Fabian Delgado, a 23-year-old Venezuelan migrant, summed up the sentiment of many: "Everything changed from one moment to another, we went from hope to desperation." Yet, even in the face of despair, Delgado and others like him refuse to give up. They continue to hold on to the hope that their voices will reach President Trump, that their stories will be heard, and that their appointments will be reinstated. "We all have a story to tell," said Oswal Paredes, another Venezuelan migrant who fled persecution. "I fled Venezuela because I was being persecuted, please give us our appointments back." For now, these migrants remain in limbo, their lives suspended between the hope of a new beginning and the harsh realities of the present.
