These were the scenes as Hollywood stars Zoe Saldana and Amber Heard visited refugees from Honduras and El Salvador trying to cross the Mexican border into the USA.
The actresses said they wanted to show the world that asylum seekers were ordinary men, woman and children trying to flee violence and find a new life.
Video Credit: CEN/@realamberheard
They visited the Juventud 2000 shelter in the border city of Tijuana, just south of the Californian city of San Diego, where they met with migrants and the shelter’s director Jose Maria Garcia Lara.
Saldana, 40, who starred in the Avatar and Guardians of Galaxy movies, said: “Today was a powerful day! I spent the day in Tijuana, learning, listening and witnessing what is going on with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
“Do not believe what the media says! I did not see them like criminals, gang members or rapists. I saw children, women and men that are scared, feel displaced and are seeking safe harbour.
“This is about humanity America. I hope what I’m sharing with you can bring insight to you and nurture compassion within you.”
Saldana said around 4,000 unaccompanied child migrants were currently in Tijuana and that she met some teenagers who shared their “sad story” with her.
She said: “One of them, 15, was separated from his brother during the caravan to Tijuana and has not found him so far. He does not know if his brother is alive or dead.
“Why can we not open our doors, our hearts, our country to these kids? This is not about politics, it is about humanity.”
Heard, 32, the former wife of Johnny Depp and star of the Justice League and Aquaman superhero films, shared a video of herself visiting the centre on Twitter.
She said: “Headed to Tijuana to meet with people on the ground who are living in the middle of the ongoing crisis that still desperately needs our aid, attention and support.”
The actress also met with Enrique Morones, director of the Angeles de la Frontera (Border Angels) charity, to discuss the needs of migrant families.
She added: “Some of us see thirst and give water. Sounds familiar… Thank you to the brave people who fight tirelessly for our most vulnerable, like Enrique Morones at Border Angels.”
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Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
