Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Haitian migrants against making the “dangerous” trip to the United States.
In a news conference on Friday in Mexico City, Blinken said the U.S. is trying to be “very clear” that migrants seeking to enter the country are putting themselves at “tremendous risk along the entire route.”
“Unfortunately, one of the things that’s happened is various groups are spreading false information about what possibilities exist for those coming to the United States irregularly and trying to misinform people that they will be able to enter the United States,” Blinken said.
“The journey is profoundly dangerous, and it will not succeed, and we are working to make sure that people understand that,” he continued.
Haiti has been devastated this year by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
The Biden administration has faced criticism for its treatment of Haitian migrants since thousands crowded under a bridge connecting Mexico with Del Rio, Texas. Images of border agents on horseback grabbing at migrants stoked further outrage.
Deportation flights were quickly ramped up amid the surge, and the bridge was completely cleared as of late September.
Blinken said Friday that the U.S. is in “very close daily contact” with Mexico about migration from Haiti.
“We’re also working closely together and working ourselves to make sure that people are treated with dignity, with decency and that their rights are fully protected,” he said.
Blinken is in Mexico on Friday and Saturday to reinforce the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. Blinken led the U.S. delegation, which included Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland.