A humanitarian organization in northeastern Mexico, Resource Center Matamoros, found itself at the center of a controversy this week after flyers urging migrants to vote for President Joe Biden were discovered at its shelter near the border with Texas. The Spanish-language flyers, which contained errors in spelling and grammar, bore the organization’s logo but it was unclear who created or posted them.
Founder Gaby Zavala denied any involvement in the creation of the flyers, stating that her organization does not encourage immigrants to register to vote or cast ballots in the U.S. Despite this, the flyers quickly spread online, with unverified claims about them even being raised during a congressional hearing.
The conservative think tank Heritage Foundation shared images and videos of the flyers, sparking outrage and accusations that Resource Center Matamoros was attempting to influence the election. However, further investigation revealed that the flyers contained misinformation and were not endorsed by the organization.
The episode highlights how quickly claims related to the migrant surge at the border can spread and impact the political debate. Former President Donald Trump and his allies have used the surge to push unfounded claims about voter fraud, despite the fact that only U.S. citizens are permitted to vote in federal elections.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before jumping to conclusions, especially in the charged political climate surrounding immigration and elections.