In a world where climate change is no longer a distant threat but a pressing reality, the face of migration is changing rapidly. Amidst this global crisis, a lesser-known narrative is unfolding at the southern border of the United States, where Afro Latino climate migrants are facing a harsh reality of rejection and discrimination based on skin color. Even members of the same family will be separated if some appear to be of African descent. No matter their skill or education level migrants of African descent face consistent discrimination accessing formal employment and integrating professionally. These policies have not gone unnoticed by leaders of African nations who are increasingly closing their doors to Western nations.
The Plight of Afro Latino Migrants
"The current migrant crisis has become famous for the images of busloads of Latino immigrants deposited in US cities. But there has been another, group of people who have been arriving in the country from Latin America afro Latino and Afro Hispanic migrants. They come from Brazil, Belize, the Honduras and this makes sense because in countries like Brazil and Belize or Honduras a significant portion of the population is phenotypically black, this seems to be a problem for the people at US borders who separate those who gain entry by skin color." According to the American Immigration Council (AIC).
The AIC also goes on to explain "Since its creation in 1924, the U.S. Border Patrol has been steeped in institutional racism and has committed violent acts with near impunity. The racial animus of U.S. immigration policy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century formed the foundation for the agency. Congress created the Border Patrol in 1924 to patrol the northern and southern borders between ports of entry. Many officers came from organizations with a history of racial violence and brutality, including the Ku Klux Klan and the Texas Rangers, carrying over the culture of a racist “brotherhood” into the new agency. Agents have maintained connections to the white supremacist movement and the paramilitary SWAT-style Border Patrol Tactical Unit has been deployed to crack down on protests of police brutality against Black people." The focus in America has always been on the percentage of melanin is in a person's skin.
The story of climate migration is not just about moving from one place to another but about survival in the face of environmental challenges. For Afro Latinos, this struggle is compounded by the intersections of race, colorism, and nationality. In their quest for safety and a better future, these individuals embark on perilous journeys only to be met with closed doors and prejudiced attitudes. What is blatant is the disparity of treatment people with dark skin receive when they enter the country as migrants causing many to question what the real motives are behind allowing this huge influx of migrants being funneled not to jobs but to poor inner city predominantly black communities that were on the verge of building economical infrastructure. It seems as if the US government is using immigrants to sabotage black economic rise as studies show incarceration rates have been in a steady decline in black communities nationwide and college attendance has been on a steady rise. With this rise also comes grater entrepreneurship and home ownership even an explosion of upscale gated black communities.
Many see this new population that are given not only housing, a level of access to employment, food subsidies and even free college that black communities have been denied for decades all while utilizing the money from these communities to fund a population of competitors for limited resources controlled by those who don't have the best interests of the community in mind.
Colorism at the Border
Colorism, a form of discrimination based on skin color, has long plagued societies worldwide. At the Texas border town, this insidious bias rears its ugly head as darker-skinned Afro Latinos, Afro Asians, Garifuna and Haitians find themselves at a disadvantage when seeking refuge. The sometimes not so subtle nuances of discrimination based on skin tone further exacerbate the challenges faced by these migrants, pushing them to the margins of society.
In September 2021, an incident occurred involving migrants from Haiti crossing into the United States at the Del Rio, Texas, sector of the Mexico–US border. Images of Border Patrol agents on horses, beating, whipping and using pushing back Haitian migrants trying to corral them like cattle crossing the Rio Grande to try to reach U.S. soil, have prompted international outrage. Especially when a Haitian poll revealed that most Haitian citizens believed it was the USA that is most responsible for funding the 50 years of destabilizations and assassinations of Haiti's leadership and progressive movements similar to how France destabilized countries of the Sahel.
Climate Migration and Its Impact
The effects of climate change know no boundaries, forcing millions to abandon their homes in search of safety and stability. Afro Latinos, disproportionately affected by environmental crises, are on the front lines of this exodus. As they arrive at the Texas border, their hopes are met with the harsh reality of rejection, painting a stark picture of the global climate crisis's human toll. In 2023 The New York Times proclaimed, "If governments take modest action to reduce climate emissions, about 680,000 climate migrants might move from Central America and Mexico to the United States between now and 2050." What they neglected to mention is if governments continue to pretend as they are now to invest in climate action over 3 million climate refugees can be expected in that same time period!
A Call for Empathy and Understanding
By 2050, it is projected that about 143 million individuals in the Global South will be displaced due to climate change impacts. As we witness the unfolding plight of Afro Latino climate migrants at the Texas border, it is imperative to reflect on our shared humanity and the moral imperative to extend compassion to those in need. Beyond political rhetoric and border policies, lies a human story of resilience and survival that transcends national boundaries.
Looking Ahead
As the world grapples with the cascading effects of climate change, it is essential to recognize the interconnectedness of our shared fate. The challenges faced by Afro Latino climate migrants serve as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for global solidarity and cooperation in addressing the imminent threats posed by environmental degradation.
In conclusion, the stories of Afro Latino climate migrants turned away from the Texas border town serve as a sobering reminder of the complexities of migration in an era defined by environmental upheaval. Their voices, often marginalized and silenced, demand to be heard and acknowledged. It is only through empathy, compassion, and collective action that we can build a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Let us not turn a blind eye to the struggles of our fellow human beings. Together, we can create a future where borders do not define our humanity, but our shared empathy and understanding do.
Remember, we are all in this together.
By adopting a compassionate and informative tone, the Black Coral Inc blog sheds light on the challenges faced by Afro Latino climate migrants at the Texas border town, aiming to raise awareness and provoke reflection among a general audience.