In September 2021 an unprecedented number of migrants, mostly Haitians, arrived at Del Río, Texas with the intention to turn themselves in and seek asylum. Within a couple of days the number of people waiting under the international bridge for processing shifted exponentially, reaching approximately 15,000. Local organizations, authorities, and volunteers struggled to provide basic provisions such as food and water to the thousands of migrants. As a result, migrants were not kept from going back and forth between Mexico and the U.S. to access provisions. Days later the access was limited and deportation flights began.
People pass their time near the Acuña – Del Rio International Bridge as they wait to be process to seek asylum with approximately 9,000 others in Del Rio, Texas on Thursday, September 16, 2021. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
Migrants are seen under the Acuña – Del Rio International Bridge as they wait for their turn to turn themselves in to Border Patrol to continue with the asylum process in Del Rio, Texas on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. Some migrants who are waiting for their turn to seek asylum in the U.S. go back and forth between both countries in order to get what they need such as food, water and diapers for their children. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
Migrants, mostly Haitians, cross back and forth between both countries through the Rio Grande to buy food and things that they need while they wait for their turn to turn themselves to Border Patrol to continue with their asylum process in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. It was estimated that more than 9,000 migrants were in that situation that day and a couple of days later there would be approximately 15,000 migrants waiting to be processed. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
A Haitian couple that has been waiting for four days near the Acuña – Del Rio International Bridge show the tickets that they were given by Border Patrol to wait for their turn to turn themselves in to continue with the asylum process in Del Rio, Texas on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
Migrants, mostly Haitians, pass their time near the Acuña – Del Rio International Bridge in makeshift tents as they wait for their turn to turn themselves in to Border Patrol to continue with the asylum process in Del Rio, Texas on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. It was estimated that more than 9,000 migrants were in that situation that day and a couple of days later there would be approximately 15,000 migrants waiting to be processed. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
Members of the National Guard oversee a section of the border that is near a migrant camp where there are thousands of migrants waiting to turn themselves in to go through the asylum process under the Acuña – Del Rio International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
A group of migrant Venezuelan migrants pass their time near the Acuña – Del Rio International Bridge in makeshift tents as they wait for their turn to turn themselves in to Border Patrol to continue with the asylum process in Del Rio, Texas on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
Migrants are seen crossing back and forth between Mexico and the U.S. in Del Rio, Texas on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. Some migrants who are waiting for their turn to seek asylum in the U.S. go back and forth between both countries in order to get what they need such as food, water and diapers for their children. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
Migrants, mostly Haitians, pass their time near the Acuña – Del Rio International Bridge in makeshift tents as they wait for their turn to turn themselves in to Border Patrol to continue with the asylum process in Del Rio, Texas on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. It was estimated that more than 9,000 migrants were in that situation that day and a couple of days later there would be approximately 15,000 migrants waiting to be processed. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times
Joseph Niclas, 42, left, and his wife Calypso Marie Chalissia, 41, along with their nine-month-old daughter Sarah, get ready to go to bed at a migrant shelter in Acuña, Mexico on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. Most of the people at the shelter are Haitians who had been waiting under the Acuña – Del Rio International Bridge to turn themselves in to Border Patrol in the U.S. Many returned to México because they feared being deported. Verónica G. Cárdenas for The New York Times