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[Illegal] Migration at the Panama-Colombia Border


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Albrook Transportation Terminal, the new haven of African migrants

Currently, on the border between Colombia and Panama There are a thousand 300 migrants, which have as their goal to reach out to the United States. In this regard, the chancellor Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado reported that the country has made a commitment to provide the assistance.

Informes  de la administración de la Gran Terminal de  Transporte   de Albrook precisan que diariamente se están recibiendo entre 100 y 200 migrantes africanos  procedentes de la provincia de Darién y con destino hacia la frontera con Costa Rica.

Chester Awares Derelus is a young Congolese, 23 years of age, who has been traveling for 95 days. He has crossed three continents and five countries, with the dream of getting to the United States.

Thin, with black skin, braids in his hair and a look that appears to be exhaustion, Derelus waits patiently sitting on a chair in the south bay of the large AlbrookTransportation Terminal to which his brother, who lives in New York, United States, sent him a thousand dollars to be able to continue his trip and reunited with family.

IHe departed from his country of origin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,  in May of this year, as a result of the continued armed conflict in that nation.

Reports from the Agency of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, by its acronym in English), indicate that conflicts in that African nation have left 1.5 million internally displaced persons, while other tens of thousands have been forced to emigrate.

Derelus, who speaks French, a little English and Spanish that can be understand recounts that his journey has been a long one.

It started when he traveled in a boat to Spain and then to Brazil. From there the whole journey has been through the jungle, passing by Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, to get to Panama.

He arrived to his first point in Panama which was Puerto Piña, in the province of Darien, during July. He was 26 days In that community until finally this Tuesday 9 August was able to reach the Great Albrook Transportation Terminal.

Without giving further details, the Congolese ensures that all the way to Panama has cost 2 thousand 500 dollars.

"Here we bathe, eat something and we hope that our families will send money to continue our way. This is a very difficult situation," says.

He notes that from here, the path to follow is Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico and finally California, United States.

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There are thousands

Between 100 and 200 migrants like Derelus arrive daily in this transport terminal, explained Benjamin Solis, chief of operations of the Albrook Transportation Terminal.

Detailed that from about a year ago, this has been a habitual behavior in this area of transit.

"This has been the case with the Cubans, Somalis, Haitians and now Africans", which obviously has brought some "inconvenience to users of the place," he said.

Solis said that in view of this massive influx has had to enable a special area at the top of the bay south of the terminal, where they wait.

In addition, has enabled a bath for your exclusive use and have done some coordination with the Panamanian Red Cross, the National Immigration Service and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to care for them.

Yesterday, in the place had at least 50 men, women and children and even newborn; some slept, others eat or talking to each other. Several backpacks, cartridges, sheets and sleeping bags had in the place.

In accordance with Solis, the average stay of migrants is between 24 and 72 hours. He added that "they are only waiting for them to send money through the agencies of sending money, in order to be able to continue its journey. It is what they say to us".

The Administrator also stated that staff of migration has made assessments on the site and has made it clear that these people can be up to 72 hours in the country, without needing any document for this.

In his view, this phenomenon has several side effects, among them that are generating an economic movement that "although perhaps it is not so significant, leave'.

He said that these are passengers that are moved from border to border and that when arriving at the terminal buy cards, go to the restaurants, buy clothes, among other items.

However, he cautioned that the arrival of these migrants without clinical controls or health can bring diseases.

Solis concluded by saying that monthly are receiving about 3 thousand migrants, and to date there has been no situation of gravity.

An issue of concern

in fact, last Monday, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued a statement in which they showed "its deep concern" about the situation of "extreme vulnerability" in which there are close to a thousand 300 migrants stranded in the municipality of Turbo, near the Darién Gap, Colombia, on the border with Panama.

James Cavallaro, president of the IACHR, stated that "the fact that migrants resort to irregular channels and to traffickers of migrants is explained by the lack or inadequacy of legal channels and insurance to migrate", which ensures the leaves vulnerable to abuse and extortion by criminal organizations, traffickers of migrants, as well as some policemen.

In this regard, made an appeal to all States of America "to act immediately to enable channels that allow these people to migrate from a legal and safe manner".

For its part, the Vice President and Chancellor of the Republic, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, reported that they are currently working on two fronts to address the problem.

"We will comply with our obligations in the area of migrant populations and establish the corresponding shelters to give them a humane treatment and at the same time we are working with the levels of security to prevent irregular enter" the country.

However, recognized that this last phase comprises a large "challenge" in which they are making the necessary efforts.

http://www.prensa.com/sociedad/pasaje-sueno_0_4549045150.html

Edited by Keith Woolford
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Suggestions to be Made for Attending Migrants
 

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The International Organization for Migration will deliver to Panama recommendations to improve the humanitarian care that is being offered to migrants who arrive in the country.

Datos de la Gran Terminal de Transporte de Albrook precisan que por día arriban a este lugar   entre 100 a 200 migrantes procedentes de Darién.

MIGRANTS MAY BE EXPELLED

The director of the National Immigration Service, Fernando Carrillo, warned that migrants who do not leave the country with in a period of 72 hours they will start the procedure for their deportation.

Their statements are given in the middle of the arrival to the isthmus Panameño of migrants on their way to reach the United States, through the jungle of the province of Darien, to then make a trip by bus to the Great Transportation Terminal of Albrook, and then proceeding to Central America.

The official also clarified that in spite of the fact that these people say they belong to nations of the African continent, they have been able to corroborate, using a data capture process that is performed on the border of Darien, which of them are of Haitian nationality.

To these people "they take the general data, such as name and age, fingerprints are taken and in addition you take photos of the iris and the face," said Carrillo.

"The information that we have is that they come by Darien, are Haitian, arrive by public transport to the terminal and there await money to buy their tickets and go to the border of David", he said.

He added that something is true that "they are entering the country illegally" because they do not have travel documents, which forced them to leave the national territory in a term of 72 hours, or otherwise proceeded with deportation.

Data from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) announced this Monday that nearly 1,300 migrants are stranded on the border between Colombia and Panama.

In addition, he stated that the situation of these people is "extreme vulnerability",  for which a call has been made to the nations of America to "take immediate action to enable channels that will allow the people to migrate in a legal and safe manner".

In this regard, Gonzalo Medina, program coordinator of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), noted that the reality of these people is that they are being forced to emigrate for economic reasons or violence.

He noted that in support, Panama has established an extensive coordination with several state entities such as the National Immigration Service, the National Border Service and the Ministry of Health, among others.

A report named global trends of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, by its acronym in Spanish), which is published annually, detailed that 65.3 million people were displaced at the end of 2015, compared to the 59.5 million registered during 2014, being the first time that the figure exceeds the threshold of 60 million people.

Medina commented that last week he made a visit to the province of Darien, and that he is currently preparing a report that will be delivered to the Panamanian authorities with some recommendations regarding the attention of foreigners.

Medina reiterated that Panama has offered good conditions for persons who arrive in the country, "improving the humanitarian assistance", since it offers them to immigrants health care, shelter and food, among others. "It is a reality that migration there is growing," he said.

For its part, Rosa Castillo, Director in charge of the Panamanian Red Cross, reported that there are currently staff of this institution in the Darien providing assistance, mainly of health.

Castillo assured that the aid has been offered both to those who are in Darien and to those who are waiting in the Albrook Transportation Terminal.

"Many of them come lacerated or with allergies in the body, dehydrated and fatigued, so that we have given everything that has been in our hands," said.

He added that this is a large job that is monitored on a daily basis, in coordination with other entities.

http://www.prensa.com/sociedad/Migrantes-pueden-expulsados_0_4549795093.html

 

Edited by Keith Woolford
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Migrant tensions return to Panama

Posted on August 14, 2016 in Panama

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TENSIONS are rising once again on the  Panama-Costa Rican border  as Costa Rica police are taking Cubans and Haitians to the crossing at Paso Canoas to return them to Panama.

Cuban Ramiro Ramírez, who was one of those brought to the border crossing, said that the police transported them to the area and told them to return to Panama.

“They persecute us until we crossed the border,” he said.

The migrants are trying to reach the United States, and they are concerned about running out of money before they get there.

Alejandro Caballero, who lives near the border, said that migrants began arriving in the area Friday, and some have managed to get into Costa Rica, but others have been returned

A Costa Rican police source said that security has been increased at the border and no one will be allowed into the country without the proper paperwork.

Many of the migrants arrive in Panama from Colombia including many Haitian arriving in Darien claiming to be refugees from war-torn African  countries.

Panama authorities are trying to persuade other Central American countries to work on a regional solution.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/migrant-tensions-return-panama

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Panama Provides Humanitarian Aid and Shelter to Migrants

Two new migrant shelters have been built by the government in the province of Darien.

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According to information released by the State Secretariat of Communication, the shelters were built in the communities of Nicanor and Peñitas.

The shelters include medical and security facilities.

"The government of Panama reaffirms its position to keep the border with Colombia closed to irregular migration flows that affect the region and a commitment to continue taking all health and safety measures necessary to ensure that these migrants do not pose a health or security risk for Panama," it said.

As of Aug. 5, 800 migrants from Cuba, Haiti and Africa were stranded in the Darien.

http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Panama-construye-refugios-migrantes-Darien_21_4553004663.html

 

Edited by Keith Woolford
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These camps provide an alternative to having undocumented people running around the countryside, straining resources and possibly spreading illness or disease.

In this directive Immigration insists that undocumented people who attempt to stay in the country will be deported.

http://www.migracion.gob.pa/index.php/inicio/noticias/331-los-migrantes-irregulares-que-se-mantengan-en-panama-seran-deportados

Edited by Keith Woolford
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Went for a border run last week and there were 75 - 100 persons (supposedly from Africa) waiting at Costa Rica immigration.  They had paperwork for a number of them and were taking pictures for entry to Costa Rica.  Apparently Costa Rica is taking in a few at a time.  Does anyone know where they are sending these people to?  What will happen to the others at the Derian?

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Ministry of Health attends to Migrants in Albrook

The Ministry of Health offered vaccinations and general health care at the Albrook bus terminal Tuesday morning to a group of migrants who are stranded there.

Dozens of citizens from Cuba, Haiti and some African countries have been living in the terminal, which has raised concerns about their health and safety.

Metropolitan Health Director Aureligio Rangel said that the concern is the possible spread of diseases caused by the situation.

Many of them had already received medical attention when they arrived in Panama through the Darién from Colombia.

Earlier, some 100 migrants left the bus station bound for Costa Rica. Their ultimate destination is the United States.

Ministerio-Salud-sanitariamente-migrante

http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Ministerio-Salud-sanitariamente-migrantes-Albrook_21_4553754582.html

Edited by Keith Woolford
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Migrants banned from Albrook terminal

Posted on August 19, 2016 in Panama

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THE ALBROOK  Bus Terminal has closed its doors to migrants arriving  from Darien because their increasing presence is upsetting regular users.

Benjamin Solis, the terminal’s  director of operations said, that check points  have been set up to prevent access for buses carrying migrants on the Darien-Panama route.
He said  that a meeting with staff of the Joint Task Force concluded that the presence of foreigners from Haiti, Cuba and the African continent generated “insecurity” and “discomfort” among regular users of the terminal.

The Government decided to set up a temporary station for migrants in parking facilities at the  Cold Chain, in Ancon.

José Donderis, director of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) said that migrants  are moved to an area where they are kept about 30 minutes to bathe,and  change, and are offered food and water.

Later, they are transferred to another bus to take them to Paso Canoas, on the boarder  between Panama and Costa Rica, so they can continue their journey and reach their final destination, the United States.

He said that in the framework of the strategy of having a “controlled flow” of migrants, connections with the business sector were  made for a money exchange  in Darien so that they  are not forced to reach the  Albrook area.

Transport companies, from  Chiriqui and Darien, will  establish a flat rate of $50 for the circuit from border to border, with a stopover in Clayton.

“We understand the situation, and that is why we have acted responsibly, providing humanitarian assistance and ensuring the safety of Panamanians,” said Donderis.
Javier Carrillo, director general of the National Immigration Service, said that currently there are about 2,000 migrants located on the Panamanian isthmus and three shelters have been set up in Darien, where they take general data, including fingerprints photos and iris scans.

Migrants entering “illegally” because they have no travel documents, have to leave the country within 72 hours, or be deported.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/migrants-banned-albrook-terminal

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I don't get it.  Unlike the Cubans in the last immigration crisis, these Haitians and Africans have no special right to enter the United States.  I thought Nicaragua had closed its border with Costa Rica for northbound immigrants.   The last crisis was resolved by flying the refugees to Mexico, and it's hard to believe that's what is planned again.

I am guessing the President Varela knows how the skids are greased all the way up to the US, or he wouldn't have allowed the immigrants to cross over from Colombia. 

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56 Cubans Returned from Costa Rica and sent to Panama City

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En las últimas semanas, cientos de migrantes han llegado al país por diversas vías pese al anuncio del bloqueo de las fronteras hecho por el Gobierno.

A total of 56 Cubans who the Government of Costa Rica returned to Panama, have been transferred to the capital city.

Sietnel Candañedo, member of the Pastoral Caritas of Chiriqui, explained that this shift is due to the fact that the migrants do not have money or a place to stay.

He also noted that the islanders need "urgent" assistance in the form of implements for personal hygiene, canned food, water, beverages, disposable covered and milk for children.

In the group there are eight children and a woman who is eight months pregnant.

Last May, for three weeks and in 22 scheduled flights, 3,161 Cubans who purport to reach United States as their final destination, were flown to Mexico. They had been stranded in Panama, as the governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua did not allow their progression toward the North.

http://www.prensa.com/provincias/Cubanos-trasladados-frontera-capital_0_4558794157.html

freetranslation.com

 

Edited by Keith Woolford
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Panama and Eight Other Countries call Meeting with the Government of the United States over Cuban Migrant Crisis

Nine Latin American countries proposed this Monday to Washington a high-level meeting to review its policy that promotes the illegal emigration of Cubans toward North American territory.

The foreign ministers of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru delivered a letter to the Secretary of State, John Kerry, in which they expressed their concern at the Cuban Adjustment Act, which since 1966 favors with residence and work permits to Cubans who arrive in the United States.

In the letter, delivered by the Ecuadorian embassy in Washington, the Foreign Ministers noted that considered "relevant to analyze and revise policies and regulations" Americans that lead to that Cubans give their lives trying to reach the United States.

"These people in extreme vulnerability, are victims of mafias devoted to the smuggling of migrants, sexual exploitation, and the collective assaults.

This situation has generated a crisis that affects our countries", added.

The Foreign Ministers felt that the revision of the Law of adjustment and the policy "wet foot, dry foot", which allows Cubans to remain in the United States if depressed land, would be a "first step to stop the worsening of this complex situation and part of a definitive solution to ensure a regular and orderly migration in our region".

"We would like to propose a high-level meeting to review this problem", since the policies of Washington stimulate the flow of messy, irregular and unsure of Cubans who, risking their lives, transit from Peru to Mexico to arrive at a U.S. border point, scored.

The diplomatic rapprochement between Washington and Havana has led to an increase in the output stream of Cubans who fear that the Law of adjustment is repealed."There is a process of opening. Several countries in Latin America and the world have called at the end of the blockade against Cuba, is the moment to put an end to this immigration policy toward Cuba, which is discriminatory," added the Minister of Ecuador.

Last July, Ecuador deported 121 undocumented Cubans who demanded in Quito a visa to Mexico to reach the United States.

http://www.prensa.com/sociedad/Panama-reunion-gobierno-Unidos-migrantes_0_4563293659.html

 

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This was bound to happen sooner or later. Most likely there are others who die there and are never found or reported.

Family of Migrants Found Dead in the Darien; Drowned in a River

El incidente se registró en el río Tuqueza.

A family of migrants were found dead the morning of Thursday 1 September in Darien.

According to information from the National Service Border (Senafront), the discovery was made by fishermen in the area of Tuqueza.

The family was composed of a child of about four years and a couple of adults (man and woman), who were found drowned in the river.

"Units of the First Eastern Brigade, received information of fishermen from the population of Tuqueza, province of Darien, who stated that they had visualized a body of a child under four years of age approximately, floating on the banks of the river Tuqueza. Our units next to the spokesperson of the area went to the place in question and gave with the finding of the infante, that by their traits are presumed to be extracontinental (MIGRANT)," says a statement of the institution.

Meters later were found the bodies of the couple.

Authorities presume that a head of water, product of the recent rains in the sector, was responsible for the death of these migrants.

None of the bodies found had documents of identity.

http://www.prensa.com/judiciales/Encuentran-migrantes-Darien-fallecieron-ahogados_0_4565543430.html

 

Edited by Keith Woolford
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Panama Returned More than 3,000 Foreigners in 2016

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Panama, Nov 22 (Prensa Latina) The Panamanian National Migration Service (SNM) has returned more than 3,800 foreigners with criminal records to their original countries so far this year, a source from the service asserted today.
 
SNM Director Javier Carrillo denied lack of migratory control as stated by some dozens of national citizens, who held a street protest on Sunday against the presence 'unwanted migrants.'

Asked avout the issue, President Juan Carlos Varela told the media yesterday that he would announce new migratory measures in January, although he reaffirmed the decision of legalize the status of those who have remained in the country for more than six months, as established by the regulations.

Varela said he respected the opinion of those who held the protest, but he said it was not the feeling of the majority of the Panamanian citizens.

Carrillo recognized that around 350,000 foreigners are currently in the country, including those with irregular and legal statuses, almost a third of them with permanent residence, but he clarified that the presence of a large number of tourists led to the perception that the number was even larger.

Carrillo explained that there was an agreement with the United States since 2011, on advanced information on passengers, though which all flights that depart from or arrive in Panama City send the list of passengers, before departure, to a data base in that country.

The purpose is to check if they have criminal records or are wanted for any crime and that procedure has allowed to capture international criminals, the head of the migratory service asserted.

Such statements try to answer to a group created through social networks, called 'Panama for Panamanians,' who called to the aforementioned protest in a busy street in this capital, with posters against the presence of foreigners, especially related to jobs.

The group, which has followers and opponents in the population, rejects the presidential decrees to legalize the status of irregular immigrants and believe that it causes security and health problems, 'because foreigners benefit from the health subsidies in the country,' they said.

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=6182&SEO=panama-returned-more-than-3000-foreigners-in-2016

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4 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

There will always be people with xenophobic tendencies who feel negatively towards immigrants from other countries.

I can't get past my own innate fear of Canadians and their fell conspiracies to take control of the entire universe.

Don't let those cheerful smiles fool you!

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At the other end..

CBC IN MEXICO

'Hope is finished': Thousands of Haitians trying to get to U.S. stranded in Tijuana

Sudden reversal of U.S. policy means many are in limbo after 11,000-km journey from Brazil

In the heart of downtown Tijuana, Mexico, there's a taco stand that no longer serves tacos.

The Loncheria Dulce gave up making them about a month ago because there were so many Haitian migrants in the lunch line clamouring for something familiar, something that reminded them of home.

"They themselves asked me to make their food for them," says owner Jose Luis as he simultaneously plates four dishes for the Haitians jostling for space at the lunch counter.

He hired one of the migrants to help him make dishes like poul fri (fried chicken), which he sells to the Haitians at a discount. But about an hour into lunch, the Loncheria Dulce has already run out. There's never enough.

Lonchería Dulce-2

Chantale Joseph

Every day, more Haitians arrive, famished. They've been on the road for three months to get here.

"We crossed Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala to come here," says 26-year-old Joubert Alizaire. 

He's among the close to 50,000 Haitians who migrated to Brazil after the 2010 earthquake devastated parts of their country. Most of them went to work on Olympic construction. When the Olympics ended, so did the work. But the U.S. offered them a lifeline of sorts, announcing that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would stop deporting Haitians who were in the country illegally.

That's what prompted many Haitians like Jean-Ludger Sainnoval to begin a tortuous cross-continental journey. He says he walked much of the way, over mountains, through rivers and jungle.

"You never forget a journey like that," Sainnoval says. "We had nothing to eat, no water, nothing to drink. We have friends that left Brazil but didn't make it here. Some because it was too hard. Some because they died."

Jean-Ludger Sainnoval

U.S. resumes 'removing' Haitians

Close to 5,000 Haitians managed to make it all the way to Tijuana, at the Mexico-U.S. border. But then in September the U.S. reversed the policy and said it would resume "removing" Haitian nationals, claiming that conditions in Haiti had improved. Those who feared persecution back home could apply for asylum.

After making the long, difficult trek, Haitians now showing up at the border without proper documentation could be detained or deported. Many liken it to being invited to someone's home, then getting arrested as soon as you enter. With Donald Trump in the White House, getting into the U.S. — legally or illegally — will probably be even tougher, says René Jean-Baptiste.

René Jean-Baptiste says he's read messages from other Haitians who made the trek to the U.S. border, only to be deported now that the U.S. has officially resumed 'removing' Haitian nationals in the country illegally. He's now in limbo, out of cash, almost out of hope.

"The messages [my friends] send on social media saying that they're being deported ... I read them," he says. "Many of us have spent so much money to get to this point, the money is gone. Life isn't finished but hope is finished."

Now, on almost every block in downtown Tijuana you can see Haitians, standing around or walking the streets with their belongings, sometimes with their children. In limbo.

Sainnoval travelled 11,000 kilometres to get to Tijuana, but he's too afraid to walk the last 500 metres to the border, almost certain he'll be sent back to Haiti. So what now?

He shakes his head. "I can't say, it's hard. If you make a journey like this and then don't succeed...?" 

He doesn't even want to think about it, he says.

"It's too hard." 

So he'll wait. And hope the U.S. will change its mind. Again.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/haitians-us-mexico-border-1.3882437

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