Handful of caravan migrants launch hunger strike at U.S. border

Reuters ^ | November 29, 2018 | Christine Murray

[Beautiful_Gracious_Skies]

A handful of Central American migrants camped out at the U.S.-Mexican border waiting to plead their case for asylum in the US launched a hunger strike to protest the Mexican police blocking their way....[snip].

Mexican immigration authorities began transporting some of [them] via buses to a new shelter.

Under .... immigration policies introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump, U.S. border officials say they may have to stay put in Mexico for months before they can petition authorities....[snip]

On Thursday, ...[sob] Mexican police stopped more than a dozen from the caravan approaching the El Chaparral border crossing.

“What the police are doing is unfair. The truth is we are fighting for our rights,”....[sob]... the group was starting a three-day hunger strike to draw attention to the standoff.

“Why are (the police) treating us like this if we’re not causing them or the Mexican people any trouble?” he said.

Officials with Mexico’s human rights commission said the new facility opened is bigger than the sports complex, which can handle only 2,000 people, and will ensure [they] are not forced to sleep outside.

Overcrowding, cooler temperatures and rain has spread illness- including flu-like sicknesses, lice and chicken pox.

Despite the conditions, many caravan migrants appeared determined to wait as long as it takes, with more than 600 applying for work permits in Mexico earlier this week, according to Mexican officials.

Trump has threatened to “permanently” close the U.S.-Mexican border if Mexico does not deport those gathered in Tijuana.

Mexico’s government has pushed back, arguing that the migrants have a right to ask U.S. officials for asylum. U.N. agencies said this week asylum seekers fleeing violence or persecution are entitled to lodge claims to obtain sanctuary.

[NorthMountain]

What will they do next? Hold their breath?

Lay on the ground kicking their feet and screaming?

[ridesthemiles]

MY humanity jar is empty.

My empathy jar is empty.

My compassion jar is empty.

My sympathy jar is empty.

My Give A Damn jar is empty.

I am refilling all 5 jars with ammo.

[ridesthemiles]

Funny how these invaders have been led to believe that they “have rights to invade this country”, and I and others seem to have to right to prevent that from happening.

[MayflowerMadam]

Everyone should cook the best meals in their cookbooks, pack ‘em up, and have a mass picnic at the border. Taunting invaders with the sights and smells of dee-licious food would be really fun I think. Bring fans and face them south so the wonderful smells would waft over the bums for miles.

[misanthrope]

Self immolation would be vastly more effective....