A dozen migrants attempting to cross through Mexico into the United States are amping up their protests against Mexican authorities who refuse to let them through by sewing their lips shut.
A majority of migrants crossing through Mexico come from South and Central America, although many started their treks in the Caribbean or in farther away regions on other continents.
The Mexican government has significantly increased its capacity to process asylum applications, but at the same time, it has stepped up enforcement measures to stop migrants before they reach the U.S.-Mexico border
Mexican authorities condemned the protest, which they dismissed in a statement, blaming “those who call themselves [the migrants’] representatives” for inciting the lip-sewing action.
“The National Migration Institute (INM) of the Secretariat of the Interior reproaches violations against the physical and psychological integrity of migrant persons by exposing them to senseless actions, like the self-harm they inflicted today by sewing or stitching their lips,” read the statement.
According to reports, activists said the protest was meant to humanize the migrants in the eyes of INM. Activist Irineo Mujica said “The migrants are sewing their lips together as a sign of protest,” “We hope that the National Migration Institute can see that they are bleeding, that they are human beings
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
