After months of frustration due to failures in the CBP One application, a group of migrants from various nationalities, including Cubans, set out on a caravan north, motivated by Donald Trump's victory and his threats to eliminate this pathway for entry into the United States.
The group, which departed from the Bicentennial Park in central Tapachula, includes families and individuals who have lived in precarious conditions while unsuccessfully trying to secure an appointment through the app, a crucial requirement for advancing in the immigration process.
"I have been trying to make an appointment for three months, but it always says 'no appointment available'. There is no work here, money has run out, and the conditions in the square are unsustainable. I decided to move in a caravan because my goal is to get further and seek opportunities while I wait for a response," commented Jorge Sánchez, a Venezuelan migrant, to the local media Diario del Sur.
The Cubans in the caravan share similar stories, marked by weeks or months of unsuccessful waiting and a desire to improve their circumstances for themselves and their families.
Migrants assert that the ongoing technical issues and the overwhelming demand on CBP One have forced them to make this decision. The app, designed to streamline processes at the U.S. border, has not responded to thousands of people for several months.
During their journey, the caravans face threats of detention, extortion, and dangers associated with travel. In Huixtla, immigration authorities tried to divert the group onto a bypass, but the migrants broke through the barrier in their eagerness to move forward.
As the caravan moves forward, some humanitarian organizations monitor its path to provide basic assistance, such as food, water, and medical care. However, conditions remain precarious.
The mobilization reflects not only the migratory crisis in the region but also the impact of policies and tools that, although designed to help, are not fulfilling their purpose.
Last week, Trump celebrated as a victory the fact that at least five caravans heading towards the border had dispersed following his election win.
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