Thousands of migrants on Wednesday formed a wagon and began their journey on foot from the Mexican town of Tapachula, aiming to achieve the US frontier before President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged large-scale persecution, takes office in January.
” My mentality is to get there, I want my ( asylum ) appointment before he ( Trump ) takes power”, Colombian Yamel Enriquez told AFP, adding,” If I do n’t get the appointment before, I will give myself over to whatever God wants”.
The team of around 1, 500 individuals set out in the early morning hours, embarking on a hike of nearly 2, 600 meters.
Since 2018, migrants ‘ caravans have been established as a last resort for those who ca n’t afford smugglers. Traveling by themselves or in smaller groups frequently results in government detaining workers, who either deport them to their home countries or return them to southern Mexico. In contrast, big wagons provide safety in figures, making it difficult for immigration officials to apprehend the whole party, AP reported.
Donald Trump has pledged to launch a national crisis on border surveillance and build the US military to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants. His election was greatly influenced by worries over illegal emigration.
Trump has fueled fears further by calling the immigration an “invasion,” claiming that Americans are at risk of being attacked by migrants while living in the country illegally for an estimated 11 million people.
