Caravan of 2,000 migrants detained in southern Mexico
ISABEL MATEOS, BENJAMIN ALFARO and AMY GUTHRIE
Oct 12th 2019 9:10PM
TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican officials broke up a caravan of around 2,000 migrants that had set out from southern Mexico Saturday in the hopes of reaching the United States, amid increasing difficulty obtaining permission to pass through Mexico.
Many of the migrants who departed from Tapachula, Chiapas early in the morning had been held up in this city just north of Guatemala for weeks or months, awaiting residency or transit papers from Mexican authorities. The migrants are originally from Central America, Africa and the Caribbean.
They left their home countries sometimes because of violence, or simply in search of a better life.
"I want to pass through Mexico, I don't want to live here," said Amado Ramirez, a migrant from Honduras who said he had been living on the streets of Tapachula with his young children and wife, hoping for a transit visa from Mexican officials. "We're at a standstill."
Men carried large, sagging backpacks while women carried children on their shoulders and parcels on their heads.
The group trudged about 24 miles ( 40 kilometers) northwest along a highway under the supervision of human rights officials before a large contingent of federal police and national guardsmen blocked their path. Some ran, while others turned themselves over to authorities.
"This caravan no longer exists," said migrant rights advocate Irineo Mujica, who was trying to help a migrant from the caravan locate a child when he spoke to The Associated Press.
Hundreds of African migrants, in particular, have been stuck for months in Tapachula, where they say immigration authorities have stalled on giving them residency or transit papers. Almost all of them want to seek asylum in the United States, rather than stay in Mexico.
The migrants have engaged in scuffles with police at the Tapachula immigration offices in recent weeks. Mexico says they can stay in southern Mexico, or leave by the southern border, but the migrants want documents that will allow them to reach the northern border.
Mexico frequently repatriates, by plane, migrants from countries such as Cuba and Honduras.
However, deportations are more difficult for migrants from faraway countries in Africa, some of which lack the infrastructure to handle repatriations.
Maureen Meyer, director for Mexico and migrant rights at the Washington Office on Latin America, said that enforcement around Tapachula has made it very difficult for migrants to head north undetected. Hence the decision to strike out en masse Saturday.
18PHOTOS
A day in the life of the migrant caravan in Mexico
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A day in the life of the migrant caravan in Mexico
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, takes a rest on the road, as she walks to Pijijiapan from Mapastepec, Mexico, October 25, 2018. Picture taken October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, rests on the road with her son Adonai, as they make their way to Pijijiapan from Mapastepec, Mexico, October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File photo SEARCH "GLENDA ESCOBAR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, plays with her son Adonai in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, sleeps in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, poses for a photograph with her children Adonai and Denzel in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, smiles as she rests in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, poses with her son Denzel, 8, as they rest in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, rests in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, rests on the road with her son Denzel as they walk to Pijijiapan from Mapastepec, Mexico, October 25, 2018. Picture taken October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, prepares the sleeping place after arriving at a makeshift camp with her sons Adonai and Denzel, in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Denzel, 8, holds his brother Adonai, 5, near their mother Glenda Escobar, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, as they walk to Pijijiapan from Mapastepec, Mexico, October 25, 2018. Picture taken October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, prepares the sleeping place after arriving at a makeshift camp with her sons Adonai and Denzel, in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, cries after talking on the phone, in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, rests on the road, on her way to Pijijiapan from Mapastepec, Mexico, October 25, 2018. Picture taken October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, poses for a photograph as she rests in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, takes a ride in a vintage car with her children Adonai and Denzel, as they walk to Pijijiapan from Mapastepec, Mexico, October 25, 2018. Picture taken October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Adonai, 5, son of Glenda Escobar, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, smiles as he rests in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Mexico October 28, 2018. Picture taken October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Glenda Escobar, 33, a migrant from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America en route to the United States, prepares the sleeping place after arriving at a makeshift camp with her children Adonai and Denzel, in Pijijiapan, Mexico, October 25, 2018. Picture taken October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
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"What you had were thousands of people that were feeling very much trapped in Tapachula," she said.
Under pressure from the U.S., Mexico has practically stopped issuing visas for migrants to pass through the country. Migrants marooned in Tapachula faced the option of turning back across Mexico's southern border, trekking north clandestinely or applying for asylum in Mexico - a country that many feel is unsafe or unattractive because of language and cultural differences.
On Friday, a migrant from the African country of Cameroon was found dead after a fishing boat he was in capsized off the Pacific Coast northwest of Guatemala. Two more migrants were missing, while another seven men and a woman were brought to a hospital.
Tens of thousands from Cameroon have been displaced in recent months amid an armed conflict between the country's English-speaking population and its Francophone majority-government.
"These people are desperate, fleeing severe conflict and repression," said Meyer.
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The boat trip up Mexico's Pacific Coast may have been motivated by a desire to avoid being corralled in Tapachula.
The Collective for Observation and Monitoring of Human Rights in Southeastern Mexico, an aid group, said local authorities refused to allow them to speak with survivors of the shipwreck.
And what do you suggest Mexico should do to help them?
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6 Likes
86 Dislikes
That is
nanmcsal
Mexico's problem.
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GeronimoLeader
They need to go back to their own country & be part of the solution instead of coming here & being part of the problem.
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241 Likes
10 Dislikes
MARKLeader
Geronimo
You mean causing problems..
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32 Likes
5 Dislikes
chefkenajLeader
Geronimo
I think your screen name went over people's heads. But I get it.
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32 Likes
4 Dislikes
RichardLeader
The U.S. is over 21 trillion in debt. Sorry but we can't afford anymore burdens on our society.
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245 Likes
11 Dislikes
JimLeader
Richard
Yea, we've got enough bums here to take care of.
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44 Likes
2 Dislikes
geoLeader
Richard
Thank Trump for that.
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38 Likes
146 Dislikes
JackLeader
Of course they want a better life! free health care, food stamps, housing education for kids and a voter card to vote. Take all that away and 90+5 will probably not try to get here anymore
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202 Likes
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iagasmanLeader
Jack
I assume you are speaking from experience.
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5 Likes
29 Dislikes
Diane Leader
Jack
how and where do they get free health care?? I don't understand.
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8 Likes
75 Dislikes
PawninthegrassLeader
These Aliens are reaching for the Golden Ring. Free Housing, Free Health Care, and a Free Lunch. American taxpayers are their heroes!
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156 Likes
11 Dislikes
MerrieLeader
Pawninthegrass
This is what will happen if the Democrat/Socialist Party takes over. They will raise taxes 73%. TRUMP 2020
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47 Likes
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Diane Leader
Pawninthegrass
please explain about free health care I dont understand
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5 Likes
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DorisLeader
Edited
Yale, MIT study: 22 million, not 11 million, undocumented immigrants in US that the Democrats don't want to tell you but they want you to pay out of your pockets from your taxes to take care of them
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137 Likes
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RaymondLeader
Doris
The actual number could be as high as 30 million.
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10 Likes
2 Dislikes
Bryant
Doris
There are NO "undocumented immigrants", there are only people who broke the law by sneaking into a foreign country, hence illegal. Legal immigrants are all documented.
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40 Likes
2 Dislikes
and so
they are somehow managing to get here from far away countries ? I wonder what is the draw ? ? All the freebies ? ? ?
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118 Likes
9 Dislikes
PETERLeader
and so
dressed pretty well as so
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9 Likes
1 Dislike
Older & Wiser
and so
Actually the liberal Socialists Dems are teaching them the tricks on how to gain access into the USA. So once here the Dems will also teach them how to vote for the Democratic party! It has been their agenda from the start of the caravans. So with these newly acquired voters, they can regain the power of the White House again! One doesn't have to be a genius to figure that out!
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74 Likes
9 Dislikes
PHILLeader
"Mexico - a country that many feel is unsafe or unattractive because of language and cultural differences." Language differences?
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89 Likes
7 Dislikes
Read Again
PHIL
Referring to the African migrants seeking entry into the USA
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8 Likes
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Buddy
PHIL
Well, in the U.S., they will face cultural differences and a different language. But Mexico does not have the give-aways.
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104 Likes
4 Dislikes
deport em ALL
Edited
keep deporting all illegal immigrants back into Mexico n keep building Americas border walls till we build them ALL
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100 Likes
9 Dislikes
???
deport em ALL
Reagan told the Russians to take dowen the Berlin Wall and now Trump and his deplorables claim a wall would somehow solve all THEIR problems. another LIE most come in by plane and across other borders. when are you starting the wall in Canada? and the barriers for ships? and many of those here illegally just overstay a visa...... this action is just bigotry at its worst
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2 Likes
1 Dislike
KenLeader
deport em ALL
We need better solutions than walls. How do you build a wall over a river, deeper than a tunnel, or on the ocean? If the will is strong enough, they'll get by a wall. A wall is only a temporary solution to a permanent problem. Just ask Berlin and China how it worked out.
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10 Likes
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DEBBIELeader
stop these human parasites from reaching the U.S. border by any means necessary ! Cut off all aid to countries that allow them to pass through. We do not want these uneducated freeloaders in our country... period !
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105 Likes
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MerrieLeader
DEBBIE
That is what President Trump did; he cut off aid to Honduras, Guatamala, and El Salvador and threatened Mexico with sanctions. That is why there are now 27,000 Mexican troops at these borders and illegal crossings are down 65%. Thank you President Trump for taking matters into your own hands since Congress refuses to do their job! TRUMP 2020.
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32 Likes
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PATTYLeader
DEBBIE
Kind of like the uneducated freeloaders that are Trump's base.