A caravan of Central American migrants marching into Mexico bound for the United States grew to more than 5,000 people Sunday despite threats from President Donald Trump to use the U.S. military to seal the border.
The throng, many from Honduras, streamed across a bridge over the Suchiate River connecting Guatemala with Mexico.
More than 5,100 migrants have registered in three shelters in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Hidalgo, Gerardo Hernandez, head of the local government’s emergency services, told Reuters. He said as many as 2,000 more were camped out in the central square.
“You can’t even walk, there’s just so many people,” he said. “So far, they’re all peaceful, thank God.”
Many of the migrants cited poverty, corruption and gang violence in Honduras for their flight. Mexico had been trying to slowly process asylum requests in small groups, in some cases providing 45-day visitor permits. But thousands of the migrants grew impatient, circumventing the bureaucracy and crossing over on makeshift rafts or just swimming into Mexico undeterred by border authorities.
They were cheered on by crowds on the Mexican side who shouted, "Venganse!" – Come on in!
More: Migrant caravan stuck on Mexico border vows not to be deterred
More: Thousands stopped at Mexico border with Guatemala clash with police
The Mexican government has warned caravan participants “of grave risks” they could face from human trafficking networks if they illegally enter Mexico. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Sunday the United States was closely monitoring the caravan's advance.
"We must remain mindful of the transnational criminal organizations and other criminals that prey on the vulnerabilities of those undertaking the irregular migration journey," she said in a statement.
Nielsen said the United States was working with "our partners in the region" to investigate and prosecute anyone making a profit from the migration.
"We fully support the efforts of Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, as they seek to address this critical situation and ensure a safer and more secure region," she said.
An estimated 3,000 would-be migrants marched out of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on Oct. 13. Their goal was to walk through Guatemala and Mexico to the United States. Their numbers have ebbed and flowed, sometimes numbering little more than 1,000.
But Sunday the crowd was large and the mood mostly ecstatic. Olivin Castellanos, 58, a truck driver and mason from Villanueva, Honduras, said he took a raft into Mexico. He hopes to work in construction in the United States.
“No one will stop us, only God,” he said. “We knocked down the door and we continue walking.”
Trump has been pressuring the three countries to halt the caravan, threatening to cut off aid in the region and deploy troops along the border if the caravan makes it that far. He has made the caravan a central theme of the midterm elections, accusing the Democrats of supporting open borders and encouraging mass migration.
"I'm willing to send the military to defend our southern border if necessary, all caused because of the illegal immigration onslaught brought by the Democrats," he said at a campaign rally last week. "They like it. They also figure everybody coming in is going to vote Democrat, you know. Hey, they're not so stupid when you think about it."
Contributing: The Associated Press
A caravan of Central American migrants marching into Mexico bound for the United States grew to more than 5,000 people Sunday despite threats from President Donald Trump to use the U.S. military to seal the border.
The throng, many from Honduras, streamed across a bridge over the Suchiate River connecting Guatemala with Mexico.
More than 5,100 migrants have registered in three shelters in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Hidalgo, Gerardo Hernandez, head of the local government’s emergency services, told Reuters. He said as many as 2,000 more were camped out in the central square.
“You can’t even walk, there’s just so many people,” he said. “So far, they’re all peaceful, thank God.”
Many of the migrants cited poverty, corruption and gang violence in Honduras for their flight. Mexico had been trying to slowly process asylum requests in small groups, in some cases providing 45-day visitor permits. But thousands of the migrants grew impatient, circumventing the bureaucracy and crossing over on makeshift rafts or just swimming into Mexico undeterred by border authorities.
They were cheered on by crowds on the Mexican side who shouted, "Venganse!" – Come on in!
More: Migrant caravan stuck on Mexico border vows not to be deterred
More: Thousands stopped at Mexico border with Guatemala clash with police
The Mexican government has warned caravan participants “of grave risks” they could face from human trafficking networks if they illegally enter Mexico. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Sunday the United States was closely monitoring the caravan's advance.
"We must remain mindful of the transnational criminal organizations and other criminals that prey on the vulnerabilities of those undertaking the irregular migration journey," she said in a statement.
Nielsen said the United States was working with "our partners in the region" to investigate and prosecute anyone making a profit from the migration.
"We fully support the efforts of Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, as they seek to address this critical situation and ensure a safer and more secure region," she said.
An estimated 3,000 would-be migrants marched out of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on Oct. 13. Their goal was to walk through Guatemala and Mexico to the United States. Their numbers have ebbed and flowed, sometimes numbering little more than 1,000.
But Sunday the crowd was large and the mood mostly ecstatic. Olivin Castellanos, 58, a truck driver and mason from Villanueva, Honduras, said he took a raft into Mexico. He hopes to work in construction in the United States.
“No one will stop us, only God,” he said. “We knocked down the door and we continue walking.”
Trump has been pressuring the three countries to halt the caravan, threatening to cut off aid in the region and deploy troops along the border if the caravan makes it that far. He has made the caravan a central theme of the midterm elections, accusing the Democrats of supporting open borders and encouraging mass migration.
"I'm willing to send the military to defend our southern border if necessary, all caused because of the illegal immigration onslaught brought by the Democrats," he said at a campaign rally last week. "They like it. They also figure everybody coming in is going to vote Democrat, you know. Hey, they're not so stupid when you think about it."
Contributing: The Associated Press
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