A group of approximately 2,000 migrants embarked on a journey from southern Mexico on Sunday, October 20, with the aim of reaching the U.S. southern border before the November 5 election.
This particular caravan marks the third and largest group to set off since Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum assumed office on October 1.
Sheinbaum is reported to be upholding the immigration policies of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, as stated by The Associated Press.
In October, there were several other groups consisting of around 800 or 900 migrants, primarily from Venezuela, who departed from Mexico.
These Venezuelan migrants explained that the dire conditions in their home country are compelling them to seek better opportunities in the United States.
According to the AP, migrants have expressed concerns about the future of asylum appointments through the Biden administration’s CBP One app. They worry that either a Harris or a Trump administration, after the 2024 U.S. presidential race, may put an end to these appointments.
“We are filled with fear,” expressed a migrant traveling alongside his wife. “They have warned us that things might change, and the CBP One appointment and the support services for migrants might be suspended.”
According to an activist, there is an estimated number of 40,000 stranded migrants in southern Mexico at present.
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden took a significant step by signing an executive order that aims to expand asylum restrictions for migrants seeking to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
As per the order, migrants will not be eligible for asylum if federal officials determine that the border is overwhelmed. These restrictions will only be lifted when the number of daily border crossings falls below 1,500 for a continuous period of 30 days.
Immigration remains a critical concern for voters. During his campaign, former President Donald Trump pledged to conduct widespread deportations and increase the number of border patrol agents by 10,000.
On the other hand, Vice President Kamala Harris supports the unsuccessful bipartisan Senate border bill that aimed to allocate $20 billion towards border resources and recruit 1,500 new agents.
A sizable migrant caravan embarks from southern Mexico in anticipation of the upcoming US election, according to Straight Arrow News.