The president of the United States, Donald Trump, issued a new warning against the migrant caravans moving through Mexico with the intention of reaching the U.S. border, stating that he would not allow their entry into the country while threatening to immediately double tariffs on Mexico if their authorities do not halt the movement.
In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump linked the advance of the caravans to the results of the midterm elections, in which the Democrats managed to regain control of Congress.
“Here we go again! With the apparent defeat of the Republicans in the midterm elections —I WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT—, the INVASION of our country is happening again,” he wrote.
"Enormous CARAVANS are forming and are beginning their illegal march through Mexico," he stated, before assuring that many of the people in those groups are rejected by their countries of origin.
Trump was blunt about the possibility of admitting migrants: “But they will not be accepted!”
His warning was also directed at the Mexican government: "Mexico must stop them, NOW, and if it does not, the tariffs on Mexico will be doubled IMMEDIATELY," he wrote.
The president assured that the Mexican authorities, the governor of Texas, the new governor of that state, the Border Patrol, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had already been informed of his position.
“There will be no leniency!”, he concluded.
The tariff threat comes as Washington and Mexico City are engaged in trade negotiations.
The Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, responded this Thursday to Trump's statements asserting that no migrant caravan has reached the northern border of Mexico since January 2025, when the Republican returned to the White House.
Sheinbaum explained that a group of approximately 600 migrants traveling through Chiapas had largely dispersed after receiving information about the difficulties of entering the United States.
He also noted that the authorities were in discussions with another group of Honduran citizens to promote their return to their home country and ruled out the use of force to disperse the caravans.
The new confrontation occurs after a caravan of Central American migrants began to move from Tapachula, Chiapas, last Tuesday.
The agency Reuters estimated its size at around 1,500 people, while the agency EFE reported nearly 2,000 participants, mainly from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
Some members of the group expressed their hope that a Democratic victory could favor changes in U.S. immigration policy.
However, the election results have not changed the current restrictions on applying for asylum or entering the country.
On Wednesday, the border czar of the Trump administration, Tom Homan, had already warned that the change in majorities in Congress would not lead to a relaxation of border security.
"The Congress may be bluer, but the White House is red, a deep red," Homan stated during an interview with Fox News.
The official stated that the caravans may approach the border, but their members will not be released within the United States if they attempt to enter irregularly.
"We will not give an inch at this border," Homan assured, also calling on the Mexican government to strengthen surveillance at its southern and northern borders.
This Thursday, former White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also responded to the advance of migrants and linked their mobilization to the victory of the Democratic Party.
"Democrats win the midterm elections, and thousands of illegal immigrants immediately form a caravan to enter the United States en masse," Leavitt wrote.
He also accused the Democrats of wanting to welcome migrants and declared: “President Trump will not allow that to happen!”
The expectations generated by the Democratic victory also reach thousands of migrants stranded in Mexico, including Cubans who are waiting for an opportunity to seek protection in the United States.
Lawyer Irene Pascual, specializing in Mexican immigration law, recently analyzed the possible changes that could benefit these individuals after the elections.
"First of all, I believe that a more favorable scenario may open up at the border for those seeking refuge or political asylum who were stranded in Mexico," stated the specialist.
However, Pascual clarified that the electoral results do not imply an immediate opening of the border crossings: "This does not mean that the border will be opened, but rather that there will be more political pressure to resume asylum procedures."
The lawyer also ruled out the possibility that deportations will stop due to the Democratic victory, although she considered it possible that there will be increased oversight from the Executive when the new Congress begins its functions on January 3, 2027.
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