Approximately 5,000 Migrants Begin Journey from Mexico’s Southern Border Due to Visa Delays

Around 5,000 migrants originating from Central America, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti commenced a northward journey on foot from Mexico’s southern border this past Monday. These individuals are aiming to reach the United States.

The migrants expressed frustration over the prolonged time required to process refugee or exit visas at Mexico’s principal migrant processing facility located in Tapachula, close to the Guatemalan frontier. Mexico’s beleaguered immigration system often necessitates that those seeking visas endure extended periods of waiting, which can span several weeks to months, without the opportunity for employment in the interim.

On Monday, the migrants assembled into a lengthy procession along the highway. Law enforcement officials sporadically escorted the group, mainly to prevent obstruction of the entire roadway and occasionally to discourage them from soliciting rides from passing vehicles.

The mobilization on Monday ranks among the most sizable since June of the previous year. Although the migrant caravans of 2018 and 2019 garnered much more extensive media coverage, the recent surge—totaling as many as 10,000 migrants arriving at the U.S. border in preceding weeks—renders Monday’s event comparatively minor.

Daniel González, a Venezuelan national among the migrants, stated, “We have been in transit for roughly three months, and we intend to continue.” According to González, assistance in Tapachula is scant. He further noted that returning to Venezuela is not a feasible option due to deteriorating economic conditions there.

González mentioned that a common strategy employed by Mexican authorities has been to wait for the marching migrants to fatigue, following which they are offered transportation either back to their countries of origin or to alternative, less congested processing facilities.

Irineo Mújica, an organizer of the march, said that migrants frequently endure destitute living conditions on the streets of Tapachula. Mújica is advocating for the issuance of transit visas that would permit migrants to traverse Mexico and reach the U.S. frontier. “Through actions like this, we aim to preserve lives,” said Mújica. “Authorities have sidestepped the issue, leaving migrants in a state of abandonment.”

Leonel Olveras, a 45-year-old migrant from Honduras, exemplifies the difficulties faced by those in the march. “Document issuance is virtually non-existent here in Tapachula. We are asked to wait for an interminable amount of time,” Olveras said.

Mújica later communicated that the group had managed to cover approximately 9 miles (14 kilometers) and had halted for the night in the town of Alvaro Obregon. He indicated that the group aims to advance further in the days to come but must consider the presence of women and children in their plans.

The U.S. southwestern border has been grappling with an influx of migrants, primarily from South America, who traverse the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama before making their way northward. According to statistics from Panama, about 420,000 migrants, often assisted by Colombian traffickers, had crossed the gap as of September this year.

For ongoing coverage of global migration issues, visit AP’s dedicated migration page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Migrant Caravan

More about Migrant Caravan

• AP’s Coverage of Global Migration
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Southwest Border Migration Stats
• United Nations Refugee Agency: Central American Migrant Situation
• Migration Policy Institute: Mexican Immigration Policy
• Panamanian Migration Statistics
• Venezuela Economic Overview
• Humanitarian Conditions in Haiti
• Darien Gap: A Desperate Journey
• Cuban Migration Trends