A caravan of at least 1,500 migrants began its journey in southern Mexico on Wednesday, with many openly stating their intent to reach the United States before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
The group, primarily composed of migrants from Central and South America, includes large numbers of young children. They started marching from Tapachula, a city near the Guatemalan border where thousands of migrants have been stranded after Mexican authorities halted their progress.
A Race Against Time
Many in the caravan expressed urgency to cross the border before Trump’s inauguration, fearing his promise to implement stricter border controls and launch mass deportations.
“It is going to be more difficult. That’s why we are going in hopes of getting an appointment quicker so we are able to cross before he (Trump) takes office,” said Yotzeli Peña, 23, a migrant from Venezuela. “That would be easier.”
A Grueling Journey
The caravan faces a daunting 1,100-mile trek across Mexico to reach the nearest US crossing at Matamoros, just across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas. The journey is expected to take 16 days without stopping, and many participants are children.
Tapachula, a city of 350,000 residents, has struggled to accommodate the influx of migrants, leaving many unable to sustain themselves and prompting their decision to embark on the perilous journey north.
Challenges Along the Way
Caravans like this one began forming in 2018 as a response to the high costs of human smuggling. While traveling in large groups offers some protection from being detained or deported, it presents its own risks. Migrants must endure sweltering heat, dehydration, and exhaustion on their way to the US border.
Additionally, Mexico’s drug cartels have capitalized on migrant trafficking, often threatening and extorting those attempting to cross their territories. Some migrants are kidnapped, tortured, or held in inhumane conditions until their families can pay ransoms.
Increased Risks and Determination
Migrants traveling in smaller groups are more easily apprehended by Mexican authorities and either sent back to southern Mexico or deported to their home countries. The size of this caravan, however, makes it more challenging for officials to detain them en masse.
Despite the dangers, the migrants remain determined to reach the United States, driven by the hope of a better future and the fear of what awaits them if Trump’s policies are enacted. For many, this journey represents their last chance to escape poverty, violence, and instability in their home countries.
