Ever since Trump’s DACA decision, immigration conversations have reached another level. In Mexico, immigration is a hot topic as well. There, one recent and large group of Haitian immigrants has found a warm welcome, the Associated Press reports.

In what is being called “the Mexican dream,” the Mexican government has created a one-year visa program for Haitians to contribute to Tijuana’s growing economy.

"It's the Mexican dream for many of them, a sense that they belong," said luxury car wash owner, Jose Luis Millan. Millan himself was an immigrant, kicked out of the United States for employing illegal immigrants in his L.A. business. In Tijuana, he employs several Haitians.

"Mexico has given them opportunity. Mexico has opened up and let them achieve their dreams," Millan said. Haitian immigrants, Millan says, they "fight hard, fight strong and they don't stop."

"There's so much work in Tijuana," said 27-year-old Haitian Abelson Etienne. "I've been treated very well in Mexico."

Etienne studied chemistry in Haiti, and wants to be a doctor. He'd hoped to go to the U.S. with his pregnant wife. She was allowed in on humanitarian grounds. He was not. He now works triple shifts six days a week for $100 per week, which he sends to his wife and child.

Many others in Tijuana's 3,000 strong Haitian community have stories similar to Etienne's. The United States once seemed to welcome Haitans, especially Haitian refugees, with open arms. But late in the Obama administration, the government began deporting them.

"We believe that there's a humanitarian case to be made for these people to find better lives in Mexico," noted National Migration Institute's Baja California delegate Rodulfo Figueroa, who believes Mexico is serving as a role model for the U.S. and other countries. "Our policy is to have the Haitian population do what they need to do to have status in Mexico."

CCL Industries Inc. is a Toronto-based export-oriented factory with a plant located in Tijuana, and has employed hundreds of Haitians. Its Avery office products are featured in retail stores such as Walmart, Staples and Target.

"I'm very comfortable with these people," said Mario Aguirre, plant operations director. "They have given us very good results. They don't miss work, they always arrive on time. We'd like to see the same attitude in everyone." The factory pays its Haitian employees 1,500 pesos (about 85 USD) for a six-day week and offers benefits such as health coverage, paid vacation and a free shuttle ride to work.

Churches and two Haitian restaurants form the center of Tijuana's newest immigrant community.

Up to 500 Haitians have free shelter at The Ambassadors of Jesus Church, and a local nun has provided free housing to about 50 Haitians. Jeccene Thimote, the Haitian pastor of The Ambassadors of Jesus, has plans to build a Little Haiti.

Although racism exists in Mexico as it does everywhere, and the Haitian immigrants have found themselves having to deal with microaggresions like hearing the phrase “trabaja como un negro,” which means “work like a black,” (and is something meant as a compliment), they have, on the whole found themselves accepted by Tijuana's native Mexican population. 

In fact, The Ambassadors of Jesus Church will soon hold the first wedding between a Haitian immigrant and a Mexican citizen.

Shout out to humanitarianism!