Dozens of migrants are gathered at the El Chaparral checkpoint in Tijuana, waiting for their asylum requests in the United States. In this context, the director of Migrant Attention, José Luis Pérez Canchola, was dismissed from his position. Pérez Canchola's dismissal occurred after he requested coordination between the Federal, State, and Municipal Governments to address the potential mass deportation of migrants and nationals whose asylum requests have been canceled.
In a statement, Pérez Canchola, a recognized activist in defense of the human rights of migrants, announced his resignation from the XXV City Council of Tijuana led by Ismael Burgueño Ruiz. He stated his convictions in defense of the human rights of the migrant population as the reason for signing his resignation, after being accused of exaggerating and lying by the Secretary of Government.
José Luis Pérez Canchola emphasized the need to provide adequate attention to the community in transit, both national and international. His participation in a protest where a piñata shaped like Donald Trump was hit generated controversies. He was the only municipal official present at that event, which possibly triggered his dismissal.
The Tijuana City Council merely informed that they are working in coordination with federal, state, and U.S. authorities to support the migrant population. Nivia Kareli Ruiz Berumen has been appointed as the acting head of the Municipal Directorate of Migrant Attention following Pérez Canchola's departure.
In a subsequent interview after his dismissal, José Luis Pérez Canchola stressed that migrants fleeing situations of threats and violence should not be forced to return to those places. He advocated for the issuance of humanitarian visas for migrants and requested greater coordination with health authorities to care for Mexican migrants in border states, preventing risks of contagion in shelters.
When asked about his dismissal, Pérez Canchola indicated that he believed it was due to the discomfort of other authorities, as he was a figure who constantly made statements on migration issues. He continued to reiterate his commitment as a human rights activist and expressed his desire for various governmental sectors to get involved in the care of migrants.
