Migrant Caravan Heads North, Betting on Democratic Border Policies

2 min read

A large migrant caravan is moving north through Mexico, with members hoping recent Democratic gains in the U.S. midterm elections will make it easier for them to enter the country. The group, estimated to include around 2,000 people, has reached southern Mexico and is continuing toward the U.S. border, according to CNN.

Hope for Democratic Support

Cesar Sandoval, a Nicaraguan migrant in the group, expressed confidence that Democrats would not let the Latino vote be overlooked. He said, “We know that the Democrats are not going to let a point as big as the Latino vote be lost. And I think they are going to give us the opportunity to reach our new homes, our new opportunities.”

Federal Officials Warn Against Easy Entry

Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s former border czar, warned that federal authorities would not yield to the caravan. “Congress may be more blue, Texas may be more blue, but the White House is red, bright red,” he said during an interview on Fox News. “These caravans can come to the border all they want, they’re not going to be released into the United States. They’re going to be turned around or prosecuted then turned around because we will charge them with a crime.”

Uncertainty Over Border Policies

Some members of the caravan doubt that border restrictions will ease and expressed a desire to stay in Mexico. “As long as [Trump] does not definitely leave, I think it will continue the same,” said another migrant, whose name was not disclosed.

Previous Caravan Attempts

A different caravan left Honduras last month and reached Mexico before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared that there was “absolutely ZERO chance” the group would be allowed to enter the U.S. Another caravan left in September but was broken up by Mexican authorities near the Chiapas-Oaxaca border.

Concerns Over Democratic Border Policies

With the Trump administration’s border policies now in place, there is growing concern that Democratic leadership in border states like Texas could change the approach. Texas Democratic governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has not yet said whether she would prevent state police from working alongside federal immigration authorities. She has previously opposed a state law criminalizing illegal border crossings.

Sanctuary Policies and Visa Restrictions

In the wake of the election, several major cities in Texas have adopted sanctuary policies. The Trump administration has also targeted individuals involved in organizing migrant caravans with visa restrictions. The State Department recently announced visa actions against more than 15 people it said were involved in organizing, facilitating, or promoting recent migrant caravans.

Source: Daily Wire

Written by

Connor Davis