Mexico has signed an agreement with Venezuela to deport migrants and reached deals with Mexican and Venezuelan companies to employ them, Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena told a news conference on Thursday, March 21.
Venezuelans have been among the largest groups of migrants arriving in Mexico on their way to the United States, as they seek to flee their country’s political and economic crisis.
There are 4,000-5,000 Venezuelan migrants currently stranded in Mexico, mostly in the city of Tijuana.
U.S. citizens are increasingly concerned about migrants reaching their borders, with a Reuters-Ipsos poll earlier this year finding that 17% considered the issue was the most important problem facing the country, up 11% from December.
Venezuela’s government did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
“The plan lacks legal basis,” said Enrique Lucero, the municipal director of migrant care in Tijuana.
Lucero called on authorities to normalize migration routes for people seeking asylum in the United States.
The Mexican government said it will give migrants in the country around US$110 a month, part of a program in which they will also have the opportunity to work for different companies in both countries.
This measure has raised protests from millions of Mexicans who do not agree with giving away millions of dollars to foreigners, when there thousands of Mexicans who could use that kind of economic help.
“Venezuelan brewers Empresas Polar, the Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA, Mexican breadmaker Bimbo and retailer FEMSA are among the companies participating in the program”, Barcena concluded.
TYT Newsroom
