New Delhi: In the streets of Central America’s San Pedro Sula, Honduras, a group of migrants began walking on 20 September. At first, they numbered in the low hundreds, mostly Hondurans, but were soon joined by Guatemalans, Salvadorans, Ecuadorians, and Haitians.
“I want to reach the United States,” José Zelaya told EFE news agency, walking with seven relatives. There was no formal leader of the migrant caravan; just “hunger and need” were the driving force behind the walk.
On 28 September, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly issued a strong warning to the migrant caravan. They had crossed into Mexico and were moving north with hopes of reaching the US-Mexico border.
“USBP (United States Border Patrol) is closely engaged with its international partners to monitor their movement and any additional developments,” DHS said to Fox News in a statement. “USBP reminds migrants that under the leadership of President Trump and Homeland Secretary Mullin, the border has remained closed and secured for the last 16 months.”
Faith and hope
According to the USBP, by the time it crossed into southern Mexico and reached the outskirts of Tapachula, the group—sometimes called “Fe y Esperanza,” or faith and hope—had grown in numbers. Estimates put it at several hundred, possibly growing past 600. The people have kept moving through heat and dust, carrying what little they own, aiming for the US-Mexico border more than a thousand miles away.
The DHS issued a strong warning noting that any migrants considering making the journey to the southern border should be aware that the days of “catch and release” are over, “and Biden’s disastrous open border policy has been SEALED SHUT”.
“Anyone attempting to illegally enter the United States will be apprehended, prosecuted, and removed from the country,” DHS said.
Officials noted that illegal crossings had already dropped sharply and that releases at the border had stayed at zero for many consecutive months.
While many in the caravan, including Zelaya, expressed a clear intention to reach the US so they could send remittances home, others indicated they hoped to find employment or regularise their status in Mexico. A smaller number of Cubans and Venezuelans were also reported among those who attached themselves to the caravan in southern Mexico.
DHS reinforced its message on social media with a post declaring “Our time has come,” accompanied by a video of a sportsperson getting ready.
“The border is closed,” a follow-up DHS post read.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
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