Migrant caravan tries to reach US before Trump takes office

(CLO) Migrant caravans from Tapachula, southern Mexico, are trying to head towards the US border, hoping to arrive before January 20, the day Mr. Trump officially becomes President.

Many of these groups have taken on names like “Éxodo Trump” or “Exodus Trump,” meaning the challenging journey amid fears that stricter immigration policies will be implemented.

But most groups were unable to travel far. Some groups, including thousands of people, were stuck in Tapachula for weeks waiting for permits to cross into Mexico. Others were disbanded by Mexican authorities after just days on the road.

According to statistics, the number of illegal border crossings at the US border has decreased significantly. In November, only about 46,000 people crossed illegally, the lowest level in 4 years, thanks to the Biden administration's asylum restrictions and Mexico's increased control of migration.

Migrants from Mexico and Guatemala are apprehended by US Customs and Border Protection officers after breaching a section of the border wall into the US, in Ruby, Arizona. Photo: GI

Most Americans first heard of the migrant caravan during Mr. Trump’s first term, when a large migrant caravan forming in Honduras became a centerpiece of his anti-immigrant message ahead of the midterm elections.

He claimed the caravan was full of criminals, MS-13 gang members and “Middle Easterners.” But media reports told a different story, showing mothers carrying children, elderly people and exhausted people trudging along, many relying on crutches to continue their journey.

The caravans have since become more frequent, though smaller in size to avoid attention from authorities and the media. The composition of the participants has also changed. While previously the majority were Central Americans, recently Venezuelans have become the largest group. There are also people from other South American countries such as Peru and Colombia.

Migrants join caravans because they cannot afford to pay smugglers or do not want to bribe Mexican police. Some see the caravans as a safer way to travel through dangerous areas where gangs routinely extort, kidnap or kill migrants.

The journey through southern Mexico is both a physical and mental challenge, with migrants facing harsh weather conditions ranging from scorching heat to torrential rains.

The long stretches between towns are exhausting for many. Some compare the journey across southern Mexico to the Darién Gap, the dangerous jungle between Colombia and Panama, where death is a constant threat.

Physical injuries such as blisters, body aches and weather-related illnesses have forced migrants to seek out mobile medical units. In central squares, doctors and volunteers bandage limbs and treat colds and other common ailments.

Not everyone was able to continue the journey. Many gave up after just a few days, unable to bear the pressure or exhausted. Some, after days of hopeless waiting or being stopped along the way, returned home.

Hoai Phuong (according to NYT, Newsweek, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/doan-nguoi-di-cu-co-gang-den-my-truoc-khi-ong-trump-nham-chuc-post331124.html