The shadow of Donald Trump reaches Tapachula, in the State of Chiapas. A border city that has become the key point through which all those who want to cross Mexico and reach the United States pass. The Republican’s victory in the last elections has caused many migrants to accelerate their pace before the new president arrives at the White House. They fear that Trump’s anti-immigration policies will nip in the bud the dream of having a better life on the other side of the border. Last Tuesday, a caravan with about 1,600 people left Tapachula and arrived in San Pedro Tapanatepec, in Oaxaca, 300 kilometers away, a week later. It is the 13th caravan heading north so far this year and the second since the elections were held in the neighboring country. Behind them, thousands of others are preparing to set off. “As the date of the change of Administration approaches, we think that the number of migrants who want to reach the United States before Trump assumes the presidency will increase,” says a source who works with migrants.
Since this summer, the United States Government has allowed you to apply for a humanitarian visa through an application called CBP One, from the Customs and Border office. Migrants must wait in Mexican territory for an appointment at one of the eight border ports. However, as asylum applications have increased, wait times have become longer, at least seven or eight months. Desperation over a missed appointment, the threat of organized crime and the possibility of being kidnapped, extorted or worse, have caused thousands of people to set out on their own. More and more migrants are joining the caravans, while the shelters in Tapachula are at maximum capacity, as is the case of the Belén shelter, with a maximum of 150 places, and more than 270 people housed. “Migrants have not stopped arriving, but with the application more people began to enter,” its director, priest César Augusto Cañaveral, told this newspaper.
The caravans have the idea of continuing on foot to the north, but most of the time they collide with Mexico’s immigration policy that seeks at all costs to discourage their attempt to reach the border with the United States. “The authorities try to tire them out and disorient them so that they give up, but they are going to keep going, even if it costs them their lives,” explained the director of the Belén shelter.
Tapachula has become a reflection of what happens in other parts of Chiapas. The territorial dispute between criminal groups has reached the border city. Murders, extortions and kidnappings are the order of the day and human trafficking has become one of the most lucrative businesses for drug traffickers. The greater flow of people due to the arrival of Donald Trump has led them to raise rates by 50%. The criminals demand $200 from each kidnapped migrant to be released, when just a month ago they charged $100 per person.
Many of the people who begin the path end up abandoning it due to fatigue, illness or lack of resources. Humanitarian organizations try to help with whatever they may need. “In the last month we have served more than 3,000 people with our hydration points, medical consultation and information on health and prevention,” says Enrique López, coordinator of Doctors of the World in Tapachula.
Injuries, dehydration, lung diseases… only the strongest resist. This is the case of José Luis, Yureni and little Thiago, five years old. A family from Colombia that arrived in Mexico City a month ago and is trying to join another caravan to continue climbing. “They have told us that December 18 is Migrant Day and that we will be able to surrender at the border to the American authorities,” says the 27-year-old man. These days they sell chocolates and camp in a park behind the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe waiting for a group of about 30 people to leave to board the dangerous freight train known as The Beast. His intention, like that of thousands in his situation, is to reach the border as soon as possible. “We want to get there before Trump is president because, look, he is a guy who is against us, but we could no longer continue living in Colombia because they threatened to kill us and we had to leave,” says José Luis.
This summer the National Immigration Institute (INM) assured that it would offer transportation and a safe corridor to the northern border to those who had a confirmed appointment in the United States. Three months later, however, these transfers from the south of the country are few and confusing for the majority. “Many people do not see progress in the application as they would like and there is not as much clarity as to how they can carry out the transfers of the Government program, that is why people want to mobilize together,” says a source close to the caravans who prefers not to give his name. for security.
The INM offers people with an appointment a permit for 20 days to move safely through the country, however, the majority still have to pay for their trip of more than 3,000 kilometers to the northern border. Those who can get a bus ticket; Those who can’t, have to get on the train. Many of them die along the way or are exposed to being kidnapped by drug traffickers. They are fleeing violence, poverty and the effects of climate change in their countries of origin. The majority come from Venezuela, Ecuador and Honduras, although there are also people from Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Haiti.
“In these conditions, children are more exposed and vulnerable to experiencing health problems due to heatstroke, dehydration, anxiety and stress, without any possibility of receiving any Health or Education service,” comments Ivonne Piedras, Director of Communication and Campaigns at Save the Children Mexico. “If there are large caravans, the risks of sexual abuse also increase,” adds the specialist. So far this year, the irregular entry of people into Mexico has doubled, compared to the same period last year. More than 925,000 migrants crossed the borders from January to August, according to official figures. Of the total, more than 108,000 were children and adolescents. Humanitarian organizations are preparing for the number of migrants to continue increasing in the coming months. Everyone wants to get there before Donald Trump closes the border or at least try.
Thank you for meeting with us today. As the website editor for world-today-news.com, I would like to discuss the recent influx of migrants through Tapachula, Mexico towards the United States border. Firstly, how do you think Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies have affected the decision of migrants to leave their home countries and make the perilous journey north? Secondly, what are some of the ways in which the Mexican government and humanitarian organizations are currently assisting these migrants? Lastly, what challenges do these migrants face along the way, and what can be done to ensure their safety and well-being during this difficult time?
Guest 1: Thank you for having me. Regarding your first question, it’s clear that Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies have had a significant impact on the decision of migrants to leave their home countries. His election has created fear and uncertainty among many who see him as someone who will make it much harder for them to reach the United States and achieve their dream of a better life. The sooner they can cross the border, the better their chances of success.
Guest 2: Absolutely. Trump’s victory has definitely accelerated the pace of migration, and we’re seeing more and more people trying to reach the US before he takes office. The fear of stricter border control measures and the potential for their asylum applications to be denied has driven many to embark on this journey now.
Guest 1: Moving on to your second question, the Mexican government has established several programs to assist migrants, including the CBP One humanitarian visa program and various shelters throughout the country. Can you tell us more about the effectiveness of these initiatives in meeting the needs of the migrants passing through Mexico?
Guest 2: Sure. The CBP One program has been helpful in allowing migrants to apply for humanitarian visas from within Mexico, but there have been long wait times for appointments and a backlog of applications. Shelters like Belén in Tapachula have done their best to accommodate the influx of people, but they’re at maximum capacity and struggling to keep up with the demand. However, there are also challenges such as increased criminal activity and human trafficking along the route, which puts migrants at greater
