LUKEVILLE, ARIZONA: In recent months, the United States has witnessed a significant influx of migrants from Africa and other parts of the world, drawn by the prospect of a better life in America. Many have successfully made their way to the US border with Mexico, where they hope to seek asylum and start anew.
Behind this surge lies a lesser-known phenomenon known as the "Nicaraguan loophole," a unique immigration pathway that has opened doors for these aspiring immigrants.
The Daily Mail embarked on a journey to Lukeville, Arizona, where the unfolding narrative of this loophole became apparent. On a single day, the publication witnessed over 600 migrants, predominantly African refugees, crossing the southern border.
Among them was Baba, a 25-year-old mechanic from Mauritania, West Africa, who expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to reach America, citing President Joe Biden's border control policies as a facilitating factor. "Joe Biden opened the door for us," he exclaimed while waiting to be picked up and processed by US authorities.
Nicaragua's role in the migrant crisis
While Baba credited Biden, the true architect of this opportunity might be someone far less expected — Daniel Ortega, the 77-year-old longstanding leader of Nicaragua. Ortega, a close ally of the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, has long been at odds with the United States, resulting in sanctions on his country.
Nicaragua's role in the migrant crisis has taken center stage, with reports suggesting that the country is allowing individuals from across the globe to enter for a mere $160 fee or even just $10 for a regular tourist visa.
The lenient entry requirements in Nicaragua are particularly advantageous to nationals of various African countries. These migrants can acquire a low-cost visa upon arrival in the capital, Managua, without the need for proof of onward travel.
The $160 fee for paperwork, as claimed by many migrants, pales in comparison to the hefty sums charged by human smugglers, hinting at a thriving and lucrative people-smuggling business.
What is perhaps most alarming is the apparent indifference of Nicaraguan officials to this burgeoning smuggling enterprise, effectively creating a backdoor entry into the United States.
The audacity of smugglers is evident in their social media posts, where they brazenly promise asylum-seekers guaranteed entry into America once they arrive at the border with Mexico. These posts not only promote cheap airfare deals from West Africa but also raise questions about who benefits from the proceeds of such sales.
Is Daniel Ortega weaponizing migration?
This situation raises concerns that Ortega, known for his antagonistic stance toward the US and facing personal sanctions against his family, might be weaponizing the flow of migrants as the country approaches a hotly contested presidential election.
The influx of migrants from distant corners of the world could potentially be a strategic move to exert pressure on the United States.
Baba, adorned in a Liverpool FC jersey, symbolizing his aspirations, entered the United States through Lukeville, Arizona, a tiny border town across from Sonoyta in the Mexican state of Sonora.
The Daily Mail reportedly observed at least 600 migrants entering on that day, shedding light on the coyotes' role as they were paid to guide these individuals through holes cut in the border fence.
For many migrants, the journey leading up to this point had been grueling, spanning thousands of miles. Baba, for instance, traveled more than 11,300 miles to reach the United States, including flights from Mauritania to Istanbul, then to Bogota in Colombia, and onward to El Salvador before arriving in Nicaragua.
Upon reaching Nicaragua, Baba and others faced the arduous trek through Central America and Mexico, all in pursuit of the American dream. The migrant attributed his journey to "repression" in his homeland, highlighting the dire circumstances that drive individuals to embark on such perilous voyages.
Impact of ending Title 42
This surge in African migrants follows the Biden administration's decision to end Title 42 on May 11, a Trump-era coronavirus measure based on an 80-year-old public health law that allowed for the immediate expulsion of asylum seekers.
As a result, border officials detected 144,000 migrants entering from Mexico in June, and the numbers continue to rise, with 183,000 reported in July.
Increasing reports of migrants sneaking across the border highlight the challenges faced by overworked and overstretched border agents. Despite their diligent efforts to patrol the fence in marked US Customs and Border Patrol vehicles 24/7 and repair holes in the fence, they often find themselves engaged in a thankless game of cat-and-mouse with smugglers.
"Honestly, sometimes I just don't want to come to work anymore," one Border Patrol guard told the Daily Mail on condition of anonymity.
