Central American migrants walk along a highway in Mexico near the border with Guatemala on their way to the U.S. on Oct. 21. Photo by Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters The Mexican Bishops’ Conference has made a public request for help from the country’s authorities, as well as all people of good will, in addressing the migration crisis at the country’s southern border. In a May 7 statement entitled ‘Request for Help’, the bishops noted that “we Mexicans have always been known for our joy, solidarity, treating others well and hospitality”.
However, they lamented, with the recent migrant caravans, “some people have taken on attitudes of rejection, indifference, xenophobia, discrimination and racism”.
While Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador campaigned on a pledge of protecting migrants and their rights, the Mexican government has begun detaining caravans as numbers of migrants arriving in the country increased.
Mexico is currently facing a “humanitarian emergency” as migration caravans move through the country, often lacking basic shelter and necessities, the bishops warned.
They pledged “to do everything possible to be a Samaritan Church to make the journey of our brother migrants less onerous”.
“We have requested Caritas National’s action in organising the aid in our country, just as we are motivating the different dioceses in our homeland to raise up an additional effort of generosity among our parishioners on behalf of our brothers,” they said.
The bishops of Mexico called on the federal government to activate an emergency plan and request humanitarian assistance for those in need.