About 300 migrants, including several Cubans, are traveling through southern Mexico in a caravan seeking new opportunities without crossing into the United States. The group is making its way along the roads of Chiapas, headed for Mexico City, determined to reshape their plans and find stability.
“Let us hope that for most of us here, Mexico will embrace us and give us the chance to be one more in this country,” said Cuban Andrés Hernández to Telemundo 51, who arrived nearly a year ago with the intention of crossing into U.S. territory, but Donald Trump’s immigration policies forced him to change his plans.
Hernández was stranded in Tapachula, where he has been surviving with temporary jobs. Walking alongside him is José Amaral, a migrant from Venezuela, who is demanding decent employment and better wages.
“Some people work for 150 pesos, 12 or 13 hours,” he lamented. Job insecurity and the lack of legal documentation have driven many migrants to reconsider their fate.
For months, dozens of migrants remained at the southern border waiting to determine their next steps. Finally, they decided to head organized toward the central part of the country to manage their immigration situation and obtain permits that would allow them to live and work legally in Mexico.
The caravan began under the coordination of Luis García Villagrán from the Center for Human Dignification, but his arrest this week due to a warrant related to human trafficking left the group without its usual leader. Nevertheless, the migrants maintained their course.
In Mexico City, they expect the National Migration Institute to address their cases. Among the walkers is Zenaida Davío, a Cuban, hoping to regularize her immigration status. “With God's grace we will succeed in moving forward,” she stated.
The caravan rested on Thursday in Huixtla, over a thousand kilometers from the Mexican capital. Before dawn, they will resume their journey with the clear goal of creating a new home, even knowing the “American dream” is impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Immigrant Caravan in Mexico
Why have migrants in Mexico decided not to cross into the United States?
Migrants have decided not to cross into the United States due to the tightening of immigration policies under the administration of Donald Trump, making it nearly impossible to cross the border. Instead, many are seeking opportunities in Mexico and other countries such as Canada, Germany, Australia, and Switzerland, which offer work visas.
What difficulties do migrants face in Mexico when trying to regularize their status?
Among the main challenges faced by migrants in Mexico to regularize their status are the slow and complex asylum processes, the high costs of legal advice, and the overcrowding of asylum offices. Many must resort to informal and low-paying jobs while awaiting a resolution.
How do changes in U.S. immigration policies affect Cuban migrants?
The change in immigration policies in the United States has led to many Cubans choosing to stay in Mexico, seeking the "Mexican dream" instead of the "American dream." This is due to the restrictions on crossing the border and the risk of being deported or getting stuck in precarious conditions.
What kind of jobs can migrants find in Mexico?
Migrants in Mexico often find informal and poorly paid jobs, such as in cleaning, construction, or at counter positions in local businesses. However, they face a lack of social benefits and salaries below the local minimum wage, which complicates their economic stability.
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