New York, NY— Earlier this week, a fire broke out in a government-run migrant detention center for men in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, near the southern border with the U.S. and across from El Paso, Texas. According to reports, of the 68 people in the shelter, at least 38 were killed and 11 were injured. The deceased individuals are reported to be from Central and South America.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic deaths of dozens of men from Central and South America who were simply trying to seek refuge in the U.S. This was a direct result of the Biden Administration’s new border policies which have created a bottleneck along Mexico’s northern border and the inhumane conditions that exist in detention centers across both sides of the border. The Biden administration must now swiftly reverse course and prioritize our humanitarian obligations and the safety of all those who leave their homes fleeing desperate and sometimes violent conditions. It’s also long past time for Congress to take action to create a truly welcoming nation that lives up to its humanitarian goals and democratic ideas."
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