While President-elect Donald Trump continues his stern rhetoric about deporting unauthorized immigrants, his words have minimal impact on Haitian migrants in Tijuana, Mexico, who remain resolute in their pursuit of the American dream.
A report from Fox 5 San Diego reveals that approximately 95% of Haitian citizens arriving in Baja California, Mexico, view the border city as merely a temporary stop on their journey toward the United States.
This statistic was shared by Wisly Desir, who serves as an administrative assistant at the Haitian consulate in Tijuana, during his conversation with Fox 5 San Diego.
Although some Haitian immigrants have established successful businesses in Tijuana’s commercial sector, including restaurants and food stores, the consulate indicates that many eventually attempt unauthorized border crossings into the United States, seeking opportunities in a nation where recent presidential election results suggest their presence faces significant opposition from the American public.
Speaking to Fox 5 San Diego, Desir highlighted an instance where one family gave up their established businesses, including two restaurants and a grocery outlet, to attempt a border crossing three years ago.
The consulate, as noted in Fox 5 San Diego‘s coverage, struggles to maintain accurate population records due to constant movement in the area. Migrants attempting unauthorized crossings face potential deportation back to Mexico. Desir referenced one individual who, despite living in Tijuana since 2016, was returned after spending 22 days in the United States.
According to the Fox 5 San Diego article, the consulate encourages Haitian nationals to pursue legal entry through tourist visas. However, the success rate of this approach remains unclear, as does the precise count of Haitian migrants currently residing in the Tijuana region.
Both faith-based and economic factors appear to drive these migration patterns, with Desir explaining to Fox 5 San Diego that many migrants view America as a land of divine opportunity. However, this report cannot confirm the success rates of these crossing attempts or the actual conditions encountered by Haitian migrants entering the U.S.
The situation of Haitians in Mexico reflects a broader pattern. Whether located in Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, or Haiti itself, their primary goal remains consistent: to find better prospects in a country that shows resistance to Haitian immigration.
Source: Fox 5 San Diego, Border Report by Salvador Rivera.