A fire at a migrant center in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, has left 38 migrants dead and 28 seriously injured. Unverified footage shows officials walking away as the fire starts, leaving a group of men behind in a locked cell. The men unsuccessfully try to open the barred door as smoke quickly spreads. Mexican officials say 68 migrants were being held in a section reserved for adult males in the facility. The majority were from Guatemala with the others hailing from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, and Venezuela. The government of El Salvador has condemned the actions of the personnel of the migration station and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. The fire comes at a time when Mexico is struggling to deal with an influx of migrants, most of whom are crossing Mexico in the hope of reaching the United States.
The situation on the US-Mexico border has been a major issue for both countries, particularly in the last few years. The Trump administration implemented a number of policies aimed at restricting immigration, including the “Remain in Mexico” policy which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed in the US. The policy was widely criticized for endangering the safety and well-being of migrants, particularly in dangerous border cities like Ciudad Juárez. The Biden administration has since rescinded the policy and made other changes to US immigration policy, but the situation on the border remains complex and difficult to resolve. The recent fire at the migrant center in Ciudad Juárez is a tragic example of the challenges facing migrants and the authorities who are responsible for their safety and well-being.
