A caravan of up to 2,000 migrants departed southern Mexico on Friday, seeking to reach the U.S. border ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. The group’s departure highlights a surge in activity as migrants aim to take advantage of current U.S. immigration policies before stricter measures are implemented.
The migrants began their journey in Chiapas, Mexico, near the Guatemalan border. Reports indicate they are making their way toward Juárez, located across from El Paso, Texas. According to Border Report, this caravan is one of at least ten large groups that have formed since October.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson confirmed the agency is closely monitoring the situation. “These reported caravans generally travel very slowly and often splinter before making significant progress northward,” the spokesperson stated. “Nevertheless, CBP will continue to coordinate with our foreign and interagency counterparts to address developments.”
While migrant shelters in Mexico have seen an increase in arrivals, shelter operators report they currently have sufficient resources to manage the influx. However, concerns remain about potential overcrowding should U.S. deportations increase after Trump takes office. His administration has pledged to prioritize mass deportations and strengthen border controls, which could leave Mexican border cities overwhelmed.
Luis García Villagrán, director of the Center for Human Dignity and an organizer of the caravan, called for bilateral cooperation between Mexico and the United States to address the humanitarian needs of migrants. “There must be an agreement between the governments of Mexico and the United States to establish humanitarian policies for these people,” Villagrán said during a press briefing in Tapachula, Chiapas.
The Center for Human Dignity, a nonprofit organization advocating for migrant rights, emphasized the group’s peaceful intentions. “We are not criminals,” Villagrán stated. “All we are asking for is an opportunity for life.”
As policy changes loom, the situation at the southern border continues to develop, with many watching to see how both nations will address the growing challenges posed by ongoing migration.