Nearly 200 families separated by U.S.-Mexico border reunite briefly in annual event

Nearly 200 families gathered in tears on a stretch of the US-Mexico border on Saturday (November 2, 2024) for a heartfelt but brief reunion with loved ones they had not seen in years because they live in opposite countries. Photo courtesy: Reuters

Nearly 200 families gathered at the US-Mexico border on Saturday (November 2, 2024) for a heartfelt but brief reunion with loved ones they had not seen in years because they live in opposite countries.

There were tears and hugs as Mexican families were allowed to reunite for a few minutes at the border with relatives who had crossed into the United States. Adults and children crossed over the Rio Grande to visit their loved ones.

This year, the annual event organized by an immigrant rights advocacy group took place three days before the U.S. presidential election, whose months-long campaigns have focused heavily on immigration and border security. According to the Network in Defense of Migrants’ Rights, it also took place under tight security.

“We didn’t have barbed wire, we didn’t have so many soldiers deployed in our community,” said Fernando Garcia, the organization’s director. He highlighted the changes in border security seen at the border since reunification began in the last decade. Is. “The barbed wire had to be removed so that families could attend the event.”

Mr Garcia said he expected migration to the US to continue no matter who wins Tuesday’s (November 5, 2024) election. Family reunions will also continue, he said.

“Deportation policy, border policy, immigration policy, are tearing families apart in extraordinary ways and having a profound impact on these families,” he told reporters before the event.