TAPACHULA, MEXICO - New reporting from The New York Post revealed Thursday that a new "migrant caravan" of approximately 1,500 or more illegal immigrants originating from Central and South America set out from the South Mexican city of Tapachula near the Guatemalan border on Wednesday.
As reported by the Post, the mob of illegals which includes a large number of children were stopped for a short time by Mexican authorities, who refused to let them advance deeper into the country. However, the caravan is moving again with many openly telling reporters that they’re anxious to reach the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20th.
The outlet estimates that the illegal immigrants, unable to support themselves in and around Tapachula, have begun to continue the 1,100-mile trek that will bring them in about 16 days or so to the Mexican border city of Matamoros, across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas. The group is reportedly relying upon safety in numbers. While small groups and individuals can be rounded up by Mexican immigration authorities and deported, these large mobs or "caravans" cannot be dealt with so easily.
A Honduran illegal immigrant Roy Murillo told Reuters, "We want U.S. authorities to see us, to see that we are people who want to work, not to harm anyone,” establishing his primary motivation as economic and precluding any claim to asylum. He added, "I'm afraid to travel alone with my family. Here, the cartels either kidnap you or kill you. ... That's why we're coming in the caravan."
Another illegal immigrant from Venezuela spoke on condition of anonymity and told the outlet, "I feel suffocated here. That's why we decided to leave.”
The AP reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently extended the geographic range of the CBP One cellphone app which allows potential asylees to make appointments to meet with immigration officials before they arrive at Border ports of entry. Initially, the app was only available in northern Mexico, it has since been extended south to Tapachula.
As reported by the Post, the mob of illegals which includes a large number of children were stopped for a short time by Mexican authorities, who refused to let them advance deeper into the country. However, the caravan is moving again with many openly telling reporters that they’re anxious to reach the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20th.
The outlet estimates that the illegal immigrants, unable to support themselves in and around Tapachula, have begun to continue the 1,100-mile trek that will bring them in about 16 days or so to the Mexican border city of Matamoros, across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas. The group is reportedly relying upon safety in numbers. While small groups and individuals can be rounded up by Mexican immigration authorities and deported, these large mobs or "caravans" cannot be dealt with so easily.
Yotzeli Peña, 23, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela told The Associated Press, “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.”🚨🇺🇸BREAKING: NEW MIGRANT CARAVAN RACES TO US BEFORE TRUMP INAUGURATION
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 21, 2024
About 1,500 migrants formed a caravan in southern Mexico, hoping to reach the U.S. before Trump's January inauguration, fearing tougher restrictions.
Migrant caravans, a method for poorer migrants to… pic.twitter.com/u0Id4i8mxL
A Honduran illegal immigrant Roy Murillo told Reuters, "We want U.S. authorities to see us, to see that we are people who want to work, not to harm anyone,” establishing his primary motivation as economic and precluding any claim to asylum. He added, "I'm afraid to travel alone with my family. Here, the cartels either kidnap you or kill you. ... That's why we're coming in the caravan."
Another illegal immigrant from Venezuela spoke on condition of anonymity and told the outlet, "I feel suffocated here. That's why we decided to leave.”
The AP reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently extended the geographic range of the CBP One cellphone app which allows potential asylees to make appointments to meet with immigration officials before they arrive at Border ports of entry. Initially, the app was only available in northern Mexico, it has since been extended south to Tapachula.
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