Mexico: Officials Demobilize Latest Migrant Caravan Headed to U.S. After 2 Days of March | Here's How
Officials from Mexico on Sunday successfully dispersed a migrant caravan that started marching toward the U.S. border on Friday by issuing temporary residence permits.
Officials from Mexico's National Institute of Migration said that officials handed out about 3,000 temporary residence permits that would allow participants in the migrant caravan, who are mostly Venezuelans and Central Americans, to stay in Mexico for up to 30 days, according to Associated Press.
The latest migrant caravan was only able to advance 28 miles to Huixtla since they started marching on Friday. Officials reportedly gave out the temporary residence permits in Huixtla, Mexico.
"We are going to continue to the United States in buses because we already have the permit. We no longer need to walk," said William Molina, a Venezuelan migrant caravan participant.
Another Venezuelan migrant, Francisco Daniel Marcano, claimed that he hoped the temporary pass given by the Mexican officials would help them reach the United States. Otherwise, he would work in northern Mexico to earn funds he will use to send his parents and three children back to Venezuela.
Latest Migrant Caravan in Mexico
The number of the latest migrant caravan that was stopped by officials from Mexico was unclear, but CGTN reported that participants were "thousands."
The migrant caravan reportedly started their journey on Friday in the city of Tapachula. The said area is known to be near the Guatemalan border.
The latest migrant caravan was mostly composed of young men from Central American countries, including families and babies in strollers.
Reports claimed that in the last 30 days, three large groups of migrant caravans, with people totaling 13,000, have tried to leave the border with Guatemala on foot. However, two of the migrant caravans, composed of mostly Venezuelans, disbanded in nearby towns.
Some migrants claimed that they decided to walk to the U.S. to avoid the dangers of taking other modes of transportation, just like the truck tragedy in Texas that killed at least 53 migrants.
Other Migrant Caravans Dispersed by Mexico Officials
Last month, another migrant caravan headed to the United States amid the Summit of the Americas. The said group also departed from Tapachula, and the participants were estimated to reach around 4,000 to 5,000. However, Reuters claimed that the said caravan was composed of at least 7,000 migrants.
According to reports, migrants who joined the June caravan hoped they would get the attention of the leaders present at America's Summit. However, Mexico's National Institute of Migration also dissolved the caravan by reaching an agreement with its organizers. The agency also reportedly assisted migrants in obtaining a document to regularize their stay in the country.
The migrant caravan in June is said to be the largest group in recent years that departed in Tapachula, Mexico.
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Written By: Joshua Summers
WATCH: Migrant Caravan Heads North From Southern Mexico - From Associated Press