Some migrants paying traffickers to escort them to the US border were confused when dumped off at the Ameca River in Puerto Vallarta and told they had arrived at the Rio Grande and they should run to the other side to enter the United States.
In a concerning turn of events, the Municipal System for Integral Family Development (DIF) of Puerto Vallarta has reported encountering several immigrants deceived into believing they were in the United States, highlighting a troubling trend affecting vulnerable populations.
During a recent meeting of the Metropolitan Security and Commerce Alliance of Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas (Amesyc), Roberto Ramos Vázquez, the director of the Municipal DIF, addressed this emerging issue affecting both cities. The instances involve migrants being misled about their geographical location, leading to confusion and potential risks to their safety.
One such case occurred a couple of weeks ago when a Guatemalan immigrant, abandoned near Puerto Vallarta, was found and subsequently returned to his family through the National Migration Institute. In a startling revelation, another immigrant who arrived at the DIF last week turned out to be the brother of the first individual. He narrated a harrowing tale of being duped by “polleros” – individuals paid for cross-border smuggling. These smugglers deceived the migrants into believing the Ameca River was the Rio Grande, a common crossing point into the United States. After being ferried across the river and instructed to run, the migrants were falsely informed they had successfully crossed the U.S. border.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle used by these undocumented immigrants carried 20 to 30 individuals. Authorities fear that others may still be wandering in the region under the false impression that they are in the United States.
In response to these alarming incidents, the Municipal DIF is ramping up its training to better support immigrants. Coordination has been established with the National Migration Institute and FM4, a shelter in Guadalajara, to provide comprehensive assistance to those affected. This situation underscores the challenges faced by immigrants and the importance of cross-agency collaboration to ensure their safety and well-being.
Authorities urge public vigilance and cooperation in identifying and assisting any individuals who might have been similarly misled. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by migrants and the need for increased protection and support for this marginalized group.
Some migrants paying traffickers to escort them to the US border were confused when dumped off at the Ameca River in Puerto Vallarta and . . .
