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Around a dozen migrants along the southern border of Mexico have sewn their mouths shut in protest against the country's immigration agency.
These Central and South American migrants who have sewn their mouths shut in an effort to show the severity of their situation to the National Migration Institute are seeking passage into the country so they can eventually reach the United States.
Activist Irineo Mujica said, "The migrants are sewing their lips together as a sign of protest. We hope that the National Migration Institute can see that they are bleeding, that they are human beings."
Some of the protesters involved had their families with them, although the protest itself was only conducted by adults and their children's mouths were not sewn. They told Reuters that they are protesting for them so that they can get the chance at a better life over the borders.
"I'm doing it for my daughter," said Venezuelan migrant Yorgelis Rivera. "She has not eaten anything in the last few hours and I see no solution from the authorities. We are like prisoners here."
In an official statement, the National Migration Institute condemned the protest, saying that "it is worrying that these measures have been carried out with the consent and support of those who call themselves their representatives, with the intention of pressuring authorities on an attention already provided."
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is available.
Update 2/16/2022 at 10:47 a.m. EST: This story has been updated to include more information and quotes on the protest.
