A new migrant caravan, estimated to be around 2,000 people, is currently making its way through Mexico toward the U.S. southern border. The group, which includes individuals from various countries, set out from Tapachula, Mexico, on Inauguration Day, despite the ongoing strict immigration policies enacted by President Donald Trump. These policies, which include mass deportations and tough restrictions on asylum, continue to shape the migration flow from the southern border.
This caravan marks at least the tenth major migrant group to leave Tapachula since the U.S. election, though such caravans represent only a fraction of the daily flow of migrants heading north through Mexico. While these caravans often draw significant attention, most migrants make their journey in smaller, less visible groups, often broken up by Mexican authorities. Migrants typically continue their trek in smaller clusters or as individual families to avoid detection and deal with the ever-changing political landscape.
Under President Trump’s leadership, his administration is enforcing a series of strong policies aimed at reducing illegal immigration and enhancing border security. Among these measures is the termination of the CBP One app, which previously allowed migrants to schedule asylum appointments at U.S. border ports. This app, which had been a lifeline for many asylum seekers, was shut down on Trump’s first day in office. Additionally, the deployment of U.S. military forces at the southern border is intended to deter illegal crossings.
Trump’s tough stance on immigration includes a series of executive orders, one of which targets birthright citizenship, a move that will likely face legal challenges. Another order labels Mexican drug cartels and other criminal organizations as foreign terrorist entities. The Trump administration is also moving forward with plans to build a border wall, using emergency funds if necessary, bypassing Congress.
As migrants like Olindo Colmenares, a Venezuelan seeking a better life for his family, continue their journey, they face an increasingly complex political environment. Many may be forced to settle temporarily in Mexican cities, as authorities work to break up larger groups and push forward with border enforcement measures. This evolving situation highlights the stark contrast between the Biden administration’s more lenient approach and Trump’s uncompromising stance on immigration.