Mexico rounds up 71 Guatemalan squatters on border

Jan. 9, 2012 Associated Press

MEXICO CITY — Mexican immigration officials and police on Monday
rounded up 71 Guatemalans who had been living in a tent camp near the two
countries' border since August.

The National Immigration Institute said the men, women and children were
living in unhealthy and unsafe conditions. It said they were taken to
immigration offices for better care and a review of their immigration
status.

The Guatemalans had camped out on land belonging to a Mexican communal
farm since August, when they were expelled from squatters camps they had
set up in a Guatemalan forest reserve.

The institute said the Mexican farmers had asked for their land back. It
said unarmed officers, psychologists and female immigration workers helped
the Guatemalans move out of the improvised tarp-covered shelters.

The Miguel Agustin Pro human rights group condemned the raid and demanded
the squatters not be sent back to Guatemala.

Mexico gave refuge to thousands of Guatemalans during that country's
1960-1996 civil war, and officials had previously provided food and other
supplies to the squatters removed Monday. The Guatemalans have been in
talks with their government about returning, but reportedly don't want to
do so until they have guaranteed housing in their home country.