An influx of thousands of mostly Haitian migrants seeking transport northward toward the United States is pushing locals in the Colombian beach town of Necocli out of housing, residents said, as landlords favor migrants able to pay in dollars.
The backlog of migrants waiting in the town for scarce places on boat transport toward the jungles of the Darien Gap in Panama, where smugglers guide groups northward on foot, hasThough many migrants, low on cash, are sleeping in tents or on the town's beach, others are able to rent rooms by the day or share houses."The owners of the house, without mincing words, just said they needed us to move out as quickly as possible," said dance teacher Yesid Puche.
"From a moral standpoint it's a bit sad that the same people from the town where you grew up will turn their backs on you for a few pesos."Many have spent years in other Latin American countries like Chile and Brazil, where some say they experienced racism. Families, many including young children, want to reach the United States to seek better opportunities than those available in their home country, which has been repeatedly battered by political crises and natural disasters.
Renting to migrants is advantageous for locals, especially amid the Colombian peso's 11% depreciation this year. "It has all the basic requirements, electricity, water, they have a kitchen where they can make their food, which is really different to ours, and they have a bathroom," said Francisco Mejia, whose family rents to migrants for $6 per person."Around 100 homes have been taken from local renters to give them to Haitians and around 50 commercial locales also have been taken or contracts have been ended to rent to Haitians," Necocli's procurator Wilfredo Menco said.
U.N. agencies on Thursday called on countries not to expel Haitians without evaluating their needs and to offer protective measures for them to legally remain, after the United StatesReporting by Henry Esquivel and Camilo Cohecha in Bogota Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb Editing by Alistair BellSubscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US official in Haiti apologizes for treatment of migrantsA top U.S. official has apologized for how Haitian migrants were treated along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying it’s not how border officials or the Department of Homeland Security behave.
Read more »
Jonathan Scott, Zooey Deschanel had 'the most fun' on Halloween-themed outingThey're already in the Halloween spirit!
Read more »
Parenting, Baby Names, Celebrities, and Royal News | CafeMom.com
Read more »
Young mother shot by Long Beach school officer to be taken off life supportThe family of Mona Rodriguez, the mother of a 5-month old boy, wants the officer to be criminally charged.
Read more »
Are New Yorkers ‘Dopamine Dressing’?After a colorful summer, some New Yorkers are rethinking their uniform. EmiliaPetrarca reports
Read more »