A new caravan of approximately 3,000 migrants from various Latin American countries departed from Mexico's southern border town of Ciudad Hidalgo on Sunday, aiming to reach the U.S. border. The migrants are driven by a sense of urgency, hoping to secure asylum before the potential election of Donald Trump, who has pledged to tighten border controls.
Miguel Salazar, a 37-year-old migrant from El Salvador, expressed his concerns about the upcoming U.S. presidential election. "We are running the risk that permits to cross the border might be blocked," he said. Salazar fears that a Trump administration would halt the granting of appointments to asylum-seekers through the CBP One app, which allows migrants to schedule appointments at U.S. border posts to present their cases legally.
The caravan's journey began in Ciudad Hidalgo, a town bordering Guatemala. Many migrants had been waiting there for weeks, hoping to obtain travel permits that would allow them to move further north. However, Mexico has recently made it more difficult for migrants to travel by bus or train to the U.S. border, frequently detaining those without visas and returning them to the south of the country.
Traveling in large groups has become a strategy for migrants to reduce the risk of attacks by gangs or being stopped by Mexican immigration officials. However, these caravans often break up in southern Mexico as the arduous journey takes its toll on the participants. Despite the challenges, the current caravan is determined to proceed, motivated by the political uncertainty in the U.S.
Oswaldo Reyna, a 55-year-old Cuban migrant, criticized Trump's rhetoric about migrants. "We are not delinquents," Reyna said. "We are hard-working people who have left our country to get ahead in life because in our homeland we are suffering from many needs."
The migrants' concerns are not unfounded. Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, have both committed to intensifying border controls if they win the election. The potential changes to U.S. immigration policy have heightened the urgency for many in the caravan to reach the border before November.
The Biden administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, has faced significant criticism for what some see as lax border policies, which have contributed to a record number of migrants entering the U.S. Harris, who has been endorsed by President Biden as his successor, still needs to secure the Democratic nomination. The uncertainty surrounding the U.S. political landscape adds another layer of complexity for the migrants making the perilous journey north.
The caravan's departure comes amid broader challenges faced by migrants in Mexico. Travel permits are rarely granted to those who enter without visas, and thousands have been detained and sent back to southern towns. The journey is fraught with risks, but for many, the hope of a better life in the U.S. outweighs the dangers.
As the migrants make their way through Mexico, their progress will be closely watched. The outcome of their journey could hinge on the political developments in the U.S., where immigration remains a deeply divisive issue. The current administration's policies and the potential shift with a new president underscore the high stakes for those seeking asylum.
AP News and NY Post contributed to this report.
