Migrants and refugees are desperately fleeing - Photo:bigstock.com
“President Biden’s administration completed the first 100 days of its administration at the end of April.” While there are many things to celebrate, and many bold initiatives, we continue to be concerned about migrants, refugees, and the situation on the border.
Recently, the White House Press Secretary announced that the Biden administration had reached agreements with the governments of Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala to secure their borders:
“We've secured agreements for them to put more troops on their own border. Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala have all agreed to do this. That not only is going to prevent the traffickers, and the smugglers, and cartels that take advantage of the kids on their way here, but also to protect those children.”
Instead of building a wall on the U.S. – Mexico border, such a policy would effectively build “walls” on the very borders of countries from which people are desperately fleeing from violence, hunger, and disasters.
This signals a dangerous reversal of the administration’s promise to pursue a more just and compassionate response to migrants and refugees by rebuilding the asylum system, uniting families, treating asylum-seekers with dignity and compassion, and addressing root causes.
Instead of building a wall on the U.S. – Mexico border, such a policy would effectively build “walls” on the very borders of countries from which people are desperately fleeing from violence, hunger, and disasters.
The reality is this: we cannot reverse decades of U.S. support for corrupt, violent and authoritarian governments in the region, or ignore U.S. policies that favor corporate greed and privatization of resources, in time to stem the tide of those who are desperately fleeing for their lives.
Until we can effectively do so, and that will take time, we have a moral obligation to respond to the migrants and refugees who are desperately fleeing.
Scott Wright is the Director of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach and the Justice, Peace and Ecology office in the US.
