“The disappearance of 270 people cannot be ignored. These are human lives, entire families in uncertainty,” warned the UN in a report that shocked the international community.
The news is shattering. According to the latest report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at least 270 migrants have disappeared after being deported from the United States to Mexico through the northern border state of Sonora. The events, which occurred between 2021 and 2023, have raised deep concerns about the fate of these people and the lack of protection protocols following their repatriation.
A growing drama
The migrants, mostly Central Americans, were reportedly deported through border points where violence and organized crime control are alarming.
The report published on May 15 by the OHCHR highlights that the repatriation zone was not safe and that the migrants “were exposed to extreme risks, including disappearances, human trafficking and other human rights violations”.
According to the agency, there was no effective coordination between the United States and Mexico to ensure the safety of these individuals.
In many cases, they were not even informed of the dangers they faced when crossing back.
The UN urged both countries to investigate these disappearances in an immediate and transparent manner.
It also demanded the implementation of early warning and humanitarian protection mechanisms, especially for the most vulnerable:
Women, minors and asylum seekers.
OHCHR spokesperson Marta Hurtado stressed: “These 270 cases represent a fraction of the problem”.
There are likely more missing persons whose cases have not even been reported
Marta Hurtado
What can Hispanics do?
Buzzy
This call resonates especially with the Hispanic community in the U.S., many of whom have family members or friends who face these risks as they attempt to return to their countries.
Human rights and migrant organizations have initiated campaigns to denounce and lobby for the investigation of these cases and to protect future deportations.
It is crucial to be informed, to share this information and to demand accountability.
Each missing life represents a personal and collective tragedy that cannot remain silent.
So far, neither the U.S. Department of Homeland Security nor the National Immigration Institute in Mexico has offered a concrete response to this report.
However, the issue is already beginning to escalate on social networks, where relatives of missing migrants are sharing names, photos and pleas for help.
The international community looks on with concern, but also with hope that social pressure will lead to real action.
For more information, visit QueOnnda.com.
