Dear John,
In recent months, WOLA interviewed 15 researchers, humanitarian aid workers and staff at migrant shelters operating on the U.S.-Mexico border. They spoke of a dramatic increase in kidnappings and horrific acts of sexual violence committed by criminal groups against migrants and asylum seekers. This is happening in the state of Tamaulipas, on the border with Texas and affects men, women and children.
Governments on both sides of the border have a role to play in addressing the problem. While the U.S. continues to deport and force migrants and asylum seekers to wait in Tamaulipas, Mexican officials commonly turn a blind eye or actively participate in this lucrative business that provides income to cartels demanding ransom money.
WOLA has been informing authorities of the situation for many years. But people on the ground who put themselves at risk every day to protect migrants on the border are saying the violence has become intolerable.
As one activist put it, “We need to stop with the sanitized language and take responsibility for what we’re really doing.”
This week we published a lengthy feature capturing the voices of these incredible people. We also published 3 audio clips. Some of them are quite graphic in nature.
We hope you find a moment to read and listen to these very difficult stories that are especially important in an election year for both the U.S. and Mexico.
All this and more in this week’s WOLA Weekly.
