1/29/20

By Josh Rubin

By the Waters of Babylon

Yesterday, encouraged by Mexican authorities and agreed to by the relief workers that are a lifeline to the refugees forced to remain in Mexico as they pursue their vanishingly slim hope of asylum, the pocket of tents nearest the bridge and the people in them moved over to the other side of the levee, behind the fence topped with concertina wire.

They are now nearer some washing facilities, nearer where the food hauled across from our side is uncarted and served, and the tents they are in are a bit newer. Still some people were reluctant, feeling safer under the eyes of officials on the bridge, having become attached to their long-held campsite.

Where they are now they will not be as easily seen by the citizens of Matamoros, some of whom have grown increasingly impatient, some lately expressing anger at the refugees, some using language that has frightened many.

So, strung out along the banks of the river, the encampment seems neatly bounded on both ends, with little room to expand, if expansion will be needed. It is mysterious. Will people continue to languish on the banks? Will the fast track asylum review and removal process, loaded planes of refugees headed for Guatemala an Honduras, take its place?

Meanwhile we weep.