Mexico’s southern border has once again become the starting point for a migrant caravan seeking to reach Mexico City and eventually cross into the United States, despite measures announced by President Donald Trump’s government.
Thousands of people set out on Sunday from Tapachula, in the border area of Chiapas, and say their decision is due to the cancellation of the CBP ONE application, the lack of job opportunities and insecurity in their countries of origin.
Some migrants have expressed their intention to remain on Mexico’s northern border, if they are unable to enter the United States, as an alternative to avoid returning to their places of origin.
As usual, the caravan is made up of migrants of various nationalities, who seek to challenge the measures implemented by the Trump government, which include the reactivation of the ‘Stay in Mexico’ program and the deployment of military personnel on the southern border of the United States.
These actions are part of the first decrees signed by the president in his second term, which also contemplate the deportation of thousands of undocumented immigrants who are already in the United States.
Most of the migrants are from Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela.
One of the main triggers of this mobilization was the closure of the CBP ONE application, a tool that allowed migrants to request asylum in the United States in a more organized manner. This decision has generated uncertainty and desperation among those who hoped to use this mechanism to regularize their immigration status.
The departure of this caravan occurs a few days after Trump implemented measures to reinforce security on the southern border of the United States, including the deployment of military personnel and the restoration of the ‘Stay in Mexico’ program.
This program forces asylum seekers to remain in Mexican territory while their cases are resolved, which has generated tensions and logistical challenges for both migrants and Mexican authorities.
In response to these policies, Claudia Sheinbaum’s government has launched the strategy ‘Mexico embraces you’, which seeks to support Mexicans deported by the new US measures. This initiative includes promises of employment, social programs, support for travel within the country and the delivery of the ‘Paisano Bienestar Card’, which grants financial support of 2 thousand pesos.
The journey to Mexico City represents only the first leg of a trip full of obstacles for the members of the caravan. Many of them face not only the difficulties of the journey, but also the fear of being deported to their countries of origin if they do not manage to cross the northern border.
Source: infobae
