On 10/20/24‚ roughly 2000 migrants set off from Mexicos southern border‚ hoping to reach the US. This movement comes as the US gears up for its presidential election in a few weeks where immigration is a hot-button issue.
Some migrants are worried about possible changes in US asylum policies. Joel Zambrano (a Venezuelan) said‚ “We fear they might close the CBP One appointment system and other migrant services“ This online system is currently used for asylum appointments.
The lack of jobs in southern Mexico and slow US asylum processes are pushing more groups to leave. Roberto Domínguez (48‚ from Honduras) explained‚ “My countrys situation is bad; the president doesnt help. We waited a week at the border‚ but getting papers takes time. The documents we get only let us stay in Tapachula - we cant leave the city“
This group is the third and biggest since Mexicos new president‚ Claudia Sheinbaum took office about a month ago. She hasnt changed immigration policies set by the previous leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Earlier this month groups of 800 and 600 migrants left the area.
Luis García Villagrán (an activist) thinks about 40‚000 migrants are stuck in southern Mexico