Alexandra Mendoza | San Diego Union-Tribune En Español
TIJUANA — Months into an ongoing increase in migrant border crossings — which have left hundreds of migrants on any given day unsheltered in San Diego County and strained local humanitarian resources — Mexican authorities have stepped up enforcement in an effort to deter passage into the United States.
Just south of the border wall in San Ysidro, Mexican officials have installed a chain link fence reinforced with razor wire at the top and bottom that prevents entry to a section of the Tijuana River channel, identified as one of the main points for migrants crossing into San Diego.
Behind the barrier, Mexican National Guard and immigration agents keep watch at all times.
Since its installation last month, the number of migrants crossing in that area has decreased. However, it has increased in others spots farther east, such as Jacumé in Tecate, just south of the border from Jacumba Hot Springs, according to Mexican officials. As a result, Mexican federal agents have increased their presence there, as well.
Immigration-rights advocates expressed concern over the new fence, arguing it forces people to seek more dangerous ways to reach the U.S. to seek asylum.
Mexican officials said the new fence is partly to keep people out of an active construction zone. It is located next to the canal where work is currently being carried out day and night to build an elevated highway to connect Playas de Tijuana with the Tijuana airport.
The fence was set up by Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense, the department in charge of the project, which is expected to be completed next year before the end of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s term in office.
Some videos released in recent months show groups of dozens of people running along International Avenue toward the canal in their attempt to reach the United States.
A banner with a message in Spanish that has been posted to the south side of the…
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