SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The Haitian consulate in Tijuana estimates 95 percent of Haitians showing up in Baja California plan on illegally crossing the border soon after their arrival to pursue “the American dream.”
“Many believe God is part of this place called America, that’s why they want to cross into the United States,” said Wisly Desir, administrative assistant with the Haitian Consulate in Tijuana.
In recent years, thousands of people from Haiti have settled in Tijuana and have become part of the city with many opening small businesses.
But according to Desir, most Haitians have no intention on staying south of the border.
“Even those who have made a life for themselves in Tijuana, they are still curious as to what lies behind the border and may still cross at some point,” said Desir. “There was a family that owned two restaurants, had a grocery store, house and cars, but decided to abandon everything they had in the city and ventured across the border three years ago and never came back.”
Desir stated he has met many Haitians who have crossed unlawfully only to be returned after being expelled or deported from U.S.
“There was young man who crossed the border recently but was sent back 22 days later, he had already been in Tijuana since 2016.”
When asked how many Haitian nationals are in the Tijuana region, Desir said it was hard to know due to the constant flow of people arriving and departing the area.
“They’re always crossing, some stay around long enough to wait for their families, but it’s hard to say when a person crosses or arrives in Tijuana, it’s hard to place a number.”
Desir added that he advises Haitians to simply get a tourist visa if all they really want to do is visit the U.S. and then return to Tijuana legally and without immigration issues in both countries.
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