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World

In pictures: See what life is like for Ukrainians waiting at the US-Mexico border

Published 11:23 AM EDT, Thu April 14, 2022
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Ukrainians wait near the US-Mexico border on April 2 for a chance to enter the United States.
In pictures: See what life is like for Ukrainians waiting at the US-Mexico border
Ukrainians wait near the US-Mexico border on April 2 for a chance to enter the United States.
Mark Abramson/The New York Times/Redux

Published 11:23 AM EDT, Thu April 14, 2022

A Mexican border city thousands of miles from Ukraine has become a stopping point for many seeking refuge from the war.

About 1,000 Ukrainians are in Tijuana, Mexico, waiting for a chance to cross into the United States, according to Enrique Lucero, the city's director of migrant affairs.

These photos show what life is like for Ukrainians in Tijuana: a city-run shelter where hundreds are staying, makeshift encampments near the border, the volunteers who've come to help.

The images also reveal a bigger picture: A growing number of Ukrainians are taking this route to the United States, Lucero says, because it's the only path they have. It's easy for Europeans, including Ukrainians, to get tourist visas and fly to Mexico, Lucero says. Getting a visa to travel to the United States is far harder.

Even though President Biden has said the US will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, his administration hasn't yet created a pathway for Ukrainians fleeing the war. That could change soon; officials told CNN the administration is preparing to roll out a new program for Ukrainians with sponsors in the United States.

But for now, crossing the US-Mexico border is the main route for Ukrainians trying to reach the US, Lucero says. And Tijuana, he says, has become a waiting room.

As the number of Ukrainians in Tijuana increased, the city opened a sports complex as a temporary shelter. Here children play at the facility on April 10 while their families wait.
As the number of Ukrainians in Tijuana increased, the city opened a sports complex as a temporary shelter. Here children play at the facility on April 10 while their families wait.
Toya Sarno Jordan/Reuters
Volunteers with signs welcome Ukrainians as they arrive at the Tijuana airport on April 8. From there, volunteers shuttle them to shelters or hotels near the border.
Volunteers with signs welcome Ukrainians as they arrive at the Tijuana airport on April 8. From there, volunteers shuttle them to shelters or hotels near the border.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
Anna Kuts, 3, sleeps on a suitcase after arriving at the Tijuana airport with her family on April 8.
Anna Kuts, 3, sleeps on a suitcase after arriving at the Tijuana airport with her family on April 8.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainians file through the El Chaparral port of entry in Tijuana to cross into the US on April 8. Officials recently reopened this border crossing to process arriving Ukrainians, according to Enrique Lucero, Tijuana's director of migrant affairs.
Ukrainians file through the El Chaparral port of entry in Tijuana to cross into the US on April 8. Officials recently reopened this border crossing to process arriving Ukrainians, according to Enrique Lucero, Tijuana's director of migrant affairs.
Quetzalli Nicte-Ha/Reuters
Ukrainians assemble bunk beds on April 6 for the Benito Juarez Sports Complex in Tijuana, where about 700 people are being housed, Lucero says. Others are staying in churches and hotels.
Ukrainians assemble bunk beds on April 6 for the Benito Juarez Sports Complex in Tijuana, where about 700 people are being housed, Lucero says. Others are staying in churches and hotels.
Omar Ornelas/El Paso Times/USA Today Network
Ukrainians who are seeking asylum board a bus at dawn on April 7 as they head to the El Chaparral port of entry, where they hope to cross into the United States.
Ukrainians who are seeking asylum board a bus at dawn on April 7 as they head to the El Chaparral port of entry, where they hope to cross into the United States.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Volunteers have come to help at the government-run shelter in Tijuana. This group, photographed on April 7, includes Ukrainians who live in Los Angeles and are serving Ukrainian food to asylum-seekers.
Volunteers have come to help at the government-run shelter in Tijuana. This group, photographed on April 7, includes Ukrainians who live in Los Angeles and are serving Ukrainian food to asylum-seekers.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Volunteers in San Ysidro, California, welcome Ukrainians who've crossed into the United States on April 7.
Volunteers in San Ysidro, California, welcome Ukrainians who've crossed into the United States on April 7.
Jorge Duenes/Reuters
Ukrainians seeking asylum walk at the El Chaparral port of entry on their way to enter the United States on April 6. US authorities have been processing the arriving Ukrainians more quickly since the port of entry reopened, Lucero says.
Ukrainians seeking asylum walk at the El Chaparral port of entry on their way to enter the United States on April 6. US authorities have been processing the arriving Ukrainians more quickly since the port of entry reopened, Lucero says.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Ukrainians who hope to seek asylum in the United States gather on April 6 in a government-run shelter at the Benito Juarez Sports Complex in Tijuana. The facility also housed Central American migrants who came to the city in a caravan in 2018.
Ukrainians who hope to seek asylum in the United States gather on April 6 in a government-run shelter at the Benito Juarez Sports Complex in Tijuana. The facility also housed Central American migrants who came to the city in a caravan in 2018.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Ukrainians waiting to cross into the United States charge their phones at a gymnasium in Tijuana on April 5.
Ukrainians waiting to cross into the United States charge their phones at a gymnasium in Tijuana on April 5.
Gregory Bull/AP
A volunteer and Ukrainians who fled to Mexico amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine play a card game while they wait at a makeshift camp near the San Ysidro Port of Entry of the US-Mexico border on April 4.
A volunteer and Ukrainians who fled to Mexico amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine play a card game while they wait at a makeshift camp near the San Ysidro Port of Entry of the US-Mexico border on April 4.
Ariana Drehsler/UPI/Shutterstock
Ukrainians follow a volunteer to the San Ysidro Port of Entry as they prepare to cross into the United States on April 4.
Ukrainians follow a volunteer to the San Ysidro Port of Entry as they prepare to cross into the United States on April 4.
Gregory Bull/AP
A group of Guatemalan migrants wait in front of a tent encampment housing Ukrainians on April 3. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/29/us/ukrainians-us-mexico-border-cec/index.html" target="_blank">Advocates argue the US is applying a double standard</a>: letting in Ukrainians while many other desperate and deserving migrants are forced to wait. The head of the Department of Homeland Security <a href="http://cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-refugees-mayorkas-us-mexico-border-title-42/" target="_blank" target="_blank">has denied that allegation</a>.
A group of Guatemalan migrants wait in front of a tent encampment housing Ukrainians on April 3. Advocates argue the US is applying a double standard: letting in Ukrainians while many other desperate and deserving migrants are forced to wait. The head of the Department of Homeland Security has denied that allegation.
Mark Abramson/The New York Times/Redux
Ukrainians hoping to seek asylum in the United States set up a makeshift camp near a pedestrian border crossing in Tijuana on April 2.
Ukrainians hoping to seek asylum in the United States set up a makeshift camp near a pedestrian border crossing in Tijuana on April 2.
Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images
A Ukrainian family arrives at Calvary San Diego on April 1. The church has been providing shelter for many Ukrainians after they make it across the border.
A Ukrainian family arrives at Calvary San Diego on April 1. The church has been providing shelter for many Ukrainians after they make it across the border.
Gregory Bull/AP
A Ukrainian who fled her homeland amid Russia's invasion wipes tears from her eyes as she waits to cross into the United States on April 1.
A Ukrainian who fled her homeland amid Russia's invasion wipes tears from her eyes as she waits to cross into the United States on April 1.
Jorge Duenes/Reuters
Ukrainians wait to cross the San Ysidro Port of Entry bridge in Tijuana on March 23. Ukrainians hoping to seek refuge in the United States have been coming to Tijuana for months, according to the city's head of migrant affairs. And the number increased after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainians wait to cross the San Ysidro Port of Entry bridge in Tijuana on March 23. Ukrainians hoping to seek refuge in the United States have been coming to Tijuana for months, according to the city's head of migrant affairs. And the number increased after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Cesar Rodriguez/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Sasha Alexandra and Olena embrace and hold their Ukrainian passports as they get ready to enter the US at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Tijuana on March 21. They said they fled Dnipro, Ukraine, in March and traveled to Germany before flying to Mexico.
Sasha Alexandra and Olena embrace and hold their Ukrainian passports as they get ready to enter the US at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Tijuana on March 21. They said they fled Dnipro, Ukraine, in March and traveled to Germany before flying to Mexico.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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