Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas, Mexico – A new caravan consisting of approximately 3,000 migrants from Central America, South America, and Africa set out from Ciudad Hidalgo, a town situated near the Mexico-Guatemala border, on Sunday. Their destination: the United States. This significant movement comes amid heightened tensions and discussions surrounding immigration policies, sparked by the nomination of Donald Trump as the Republican Party candidate for the upcoming November presidential elections in the United States.
The caravan, described by activists as the largest in recent months, is predominantly composed of families with children. They are moving slowly, planning to cover about 40 kilometers on their first day, traveling from Ciudad Hidalgo to Tapachula, where they will rest before resuming their journey early Monday morning.
Concerns Over Trump’s Nomination and Immigration Policies
The recent nomination of Donald Trump has generated significant concern among the migrant community due to his strong stance on immigration and threats of mass deportations should he secure a second term as president. Carlos Izaguirre, a migrant from Honduras, expressed his apprehensions regarding Trump’s potential return to the presidency. “When Donald Trump is president, there will be millions of deportations to Central America. It affects us because we have children and families. Thank God that the economic aid and remittances we send help our families because we are not just Central American, South American, and Mexican migrants. There are nearly 40 million Mexicans living in the United States,” Izaguirre told EFE.
Migration Trends and Statistics
This caravan is one of several groups that migrants are forming as the U.S. presidential election approaches, reflecting the continuous flow of irregular migration. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), approximately 324,000 citizens from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador reached the southern border of the United States in 2023.
Since 2018, migration through Mexico has surged, marked by the arrival of large caravans primarily composed of Central Americans aiming to cross the country to reach the United States. Despite the pandemic and various regional restrictions, the influx of migrants has persisted.
Individual Stories of Migrants
Among the migrants is Franco, a Peruvian national, who emphasized his intent to reach the United States for employment opportunities to support his family back home. Carrying his belongings in a suitcase, Franco criticized Trump’s stance on immigration. “He’s wrong (Trump) because he doesn’t allow migrants who are struggling, sweating, and overcoming various obstacles to get ahead, and they have to support migrants. No one is a criminal; everyone has a purpose in this life,” Franco remarked to EFE.
Colombian migrant Alberto Lizarazo, who is traveling despite using a walker due to an injury sustained in the Darien jungle, also shared his thoughts. “He’s a good president, I admire him, but he’s going crazy,” said Lizarazo, expressing hope to reach the United States to find work despite his physical challenges.
Response from Mexican Authorities
Last Friday, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced plans to send a letter to Donald Trump, addressing issues related to migration and the border between Mexico and the United States. López Obrador intends to highlight the importance of maintaining economic integration between Mexico, the United States, and Canada, arguing that closing the border would not resolve underlying issues. The letter is expected to be sent next week.
Trump recently warned of a “migrant invasion” and pledged to close the border with Mexico on the first day of his potential second term, further intensifying the debate over U.S. immigration policies.