EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The planned opening of a massive migrant welcome center in Juarez, Mexico, has been delayed.
Mexican officials on Monday blamed a windstorm that ripped and knocked down the canvass off tents meant to provide temporary comfort to individuals deported from the United States. Also, installing water pipes in the parking lot of a soccer stadium has proven to be a challenge.
“We have made progress. But, as you know, there were some contingencies because of the wind – they have been addressed – so, we are close to initiating operations,” said Adriana Montiel, head of Bienestar (Well-Being) programs for the Mexican government in Chihuahua. “Fortunately, the flow (of migrants) has not been large, and we have been providing care at Leona Vicario (shelter).”
Montiel said an average of 10 to 18 deported migrants a day are requesting shelter after being sent over from El Paso to Juarez through the Paso del Norte port of entry. Most are adult single men and almost all are Mexican nationals.
She said the “Mexico embraces you” program set up by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo will provide migrants a place to rest, shower, eat and, if requested, stay for the night. The five large tents set up at El Punto, an empty space near the Juarez soccer stadium, can accommodate up to 2,500 people.
They were planned at a time of uncertainty after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election and promised mass deportations as soon as he took over.
At a meeting this past weekend, local and federal authorities emphasized the facility is not a long-term shelter and the goal is to help get Mexican nationals back to their hometowns.
They said arriving migrants will be issued colored wristbands depending on length of stay. Deported Mexicans needing to spend the night will get a blue band; those who will stay a few hours to rest, shower and eat will get a yellow one.
Those who only wish to register for a free $98 Bienestar debit card will get a purple or red band.
The Mexican government is also availing several buses to transport people at no cost from Juarez to major cities in Central, Western and Southern Mexico. Those going to rural communities will be offered a 50 percent discount on private bus lines, Montiel said.
Deported third-country migrants – whose numbers are dwindling as the Trump administration is increasingly flying them to their countries of origin – could be sent to the Leona Vicario federal shelter in Juarez or stay at the tents, depending on the overall number of migrants.
Mexican officials did not commit to a solid opening day for the tent facility.
ProVideo in Juarez, Mexico, contributed to this report.
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