Not long after Mexico dismantled a migrant caravan heading north, another caravan sprang up, determined to reach the U.S. border before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. The timing isn’t exactly subtle, as thousands of migrants seem eager to beat the clock on what they believe will be a stricter immigration policy once Trump’s administration gets rolling.
The new caravan, estimated at around 2,000 migrants, departed early Monday from Tapachula, Chiapas. Their destination? The U.S. border, of course. The journey kicked off with the group heading toward Mexico City, with plans to push on from there. The rush seems fueled by Trump’s campaign promises of a tougher stance on illegal immigration, sending a clear signal that the freewheeling days of border crossings might be coming to an abrupt end. Along the way, the group stopped in Huixtla to rest, taking a break at a local park before resuming their northward march.
Interestingly, some migrants have reported a dubious offer from Mexican immigration agents. One traveler, speaking anonymously, claimed agents offered him a 15-day travel permit—for a cool $500. This permit, supposedly meant for those with confirmed appointments on the CBP One app, would allow the holder to bypass the standard wait time and head straight to any border city. The app, typically free, comes with delays of several months, making the $500 option a tempting shortcut. The catch? It’s not exactly by the book. For those with the cash, this “expedited service” is being pitched as a way to cross into the U.S. before Trump takes office.
The timing of this new caravan is even more notable given that it follows closely on the heels of another caravan’s abrupt end. Just two days prior, Mexican authorities dispersed a separate group of migrants in southern Mexico. Officially, the government claims it provided buses, aid packages, and help with asylum claims to dissolve the group peacefully. Of course, skeptics question whether it was all as voluntary as officials suggest, considering the broader tensions around immigration policy in both Mexico and the U.S.
This surge of caravans underscores the chaos brewing as migrants try to game the system before stricter enforcement takes hold. Whether it’s expedited permits or caravans that dissolve only to reappear days later, the rush to the border illustrates the complexities of managing migration amid political shifts. As Trump’s inauguration looms, the sense of urgency among migrants and the questionable responses from authorities on both sides of the border paint a vivid picture of the challenges ahead.
