TEXAS — Most migrants in Reynosa, Mexico, don’t believe that Gov. Greg Abbott was serious about sending migrants by bus to Washington, but religious and some charitable organizations reacted with disgust.
It’s the topic of conversation among many migrants in the camp at Plaza de la Republica Square in Reynosa.
“It sounds very strange. He would at least give us an explanation. I mean, what he said he is gonna bus us to Washington,” said Robert Durón, an asylum seeker.
But from the initial confusion and disbelief comes the realization that if Abbott were to make good on his promise, it wouldn’t be bad after all. Many migrants say it doesn’t really matter where they end up in the U.S. as long as they don’t go back to Mexico.
“For me, it would be better. The fact is that I would have made it in. I would have to call my family to either pick me up or help with a plane ticket,” said Alexandra Durón. “If they drop us there, and then we can go our own way, then OK. But at the same time, not knowing what awaits you there is not OK.”
Sister Patricia Mulderick with the sisters of Mercy, has seen the whole crisis evolve at the very border. She said the mass transportations would only add to the suffering and uncertainty migrant families and children have endured so far. She had strong words about it.
“It’s an affront to human dignity and an affront to human justice. We in the United States do not grab people and send them off without their consent. We are a democracy. It flies in the face of everything that we are,” said Sister Mulderick.
David, who didn’t want to share his last name, feels the same way as Mulderick. He was very clear that if they took him and his family to Washington, it would be against his will.
“The truth is, it’s not the right way to treat us from their part. We are not animals,” he said.
The governor’s office says rehearsals for mass transportations have begun and the Texas Department of Emergency Management has already got 900 chartered buses and has clarified participation of migrants is voluntary.
The first bus arrived in Washington from Texas Wednesday morning.
