The temporary opening of the gates at the US-Mexico border wall in the Playas neighborhood of Tijuana happened for the sixth time last Sunday, November 19, as part of an initiative by the “Border Angels” association and members of the U.S. Border Patrol. Enrique Morones, the director of the non-profit organization, explained that the event was organized to celebrate the International Children’s day that takes place each November 20th.
Morones also explained that the committee chooses the more critical cases involving families who are separated by the border so that they can be reunited once more for at least 3 minutes. The gate, known as the “door of hope”, was opened by CBP agents at noon and an eruption of applause and cheer by the hundredths of people gathered could be heard all over the beach.
'Love has no border': Getting married at the US-Mexico border's 'door of hope'. https://t.co/9QR0Fr4FMP
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 19, 2017
An ambiance of love surrounded the area and grew with every tender hug between estranged family members, fathers, and sons, grandparents, and grandchildren, uncles, and nieces refused to let go and didn’t mind that their intimate moment was being captured by the cameras to be shared with others.
Evelia and Bryan were one of the twelve families to be benefited by the temporary opening of the “Parque Binacional De La Amistad” (Binational Friendship Park) and took the opportunity to get married under Mexican law. The couple has now reached a new stage of their 3-year relationship that started in a Taqueria in Tijuana, and even the Border Patrol agents guarding the gate couldn’t help smiling at the newlywed couple.
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The 27-year-old woman who has been separated of her man because of the border wall said that she could now hope to continue her relationship with Bryan in San Diego where he currently lives, that way the couple could also begin their postponed honeymoon.
“I hope this shows people that there isn’t a wall able to stop love,” said Evelia to the multiple reporters covering the event.
Proving that love knows no boundaries, a Mexican woman marries her fiance after the US Border Patrol briefly opens a border gate known as 'Door of Hope' https://t.co/DPPTZCG9aJ pic.twitter.com/gjHKC5oocY
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 19, 2017
Since there is a visa requirement for Mexicans to visit the U.S. many families spend years separated from one another, reason why efforts are being made to open this wall every other month in order to bring some much-needed relief to the heavy hearts on both sides of the border.
Studies show that more than 11 million undocumented immigrants reside in the United States and many of these are from Mexico.
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Article inspired by BBC // ‘Love has no border’: Getting married at the US-Mexico border’s ‘door of hope’.