Shortly after Mexico shut down one northbound migrant caravan, a fresh wave of determined travelers emerged, aiming to reach the U.S. border before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. The timing here isn’t exactly subtle—thousands of migrants seem eager to cross into the United States before the political winds shift and stricter immigration policies slam the door shut.
This new caravan, numbering around 2,000 migrants, departed from Tapachula, Chiapas, in the early hours of Monday morning. Their goal? To reach Mexico City as a pit stop before continuing north to the U.S. border. The motivation behind the rush is no mystery: Trump’s campaign promises of ramped-up border security and a no-nonsense approach to illegal immigration have left migrants scrambling. The group paused briefly in Huixtla, resting in a park before resuming their long trek northward. With each step, the sense of urgency is palpable.
Adding a layer of intrigue, some migrants have reported suspicious dealings with Mexican immigration agents. One individual, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that agents offered him a 15-day travel permit for the tidy sum of $500. These permits, meant for migrants with confirmed CBP One app appointments, are typically free but come with months-long waiting periods. For those willing to pay, the promise of skipping the line and heading directly to the border before Trump’s inauguration is a tempting, albeit shady, proposition. It’s an “expedited service” that seems to bend—or break—the rules entirely.
This new caravan’s timing is particularly striking, given it emerged just two days after another was disbanded by Mexican authorities. Officials claimed the earlier caravan’s dissolution was voluntary, offering migrants bus rides, aid packages, and assistance with asylum applications. However, critics suspect a more forceful approach was at play, especially as both Mexican and U.S. authorities face mounting pressure to manage the influx. The cycle of dismantling one caravan only to see another form suggests a larger issue that neither country has fully addressed.
The resurgence of caravans highlights the growing chaos and desperation among migrants seeking to cross before Trump’s policies take effect. Whether it’s backdoor permits or reassembled groups marching north, the situation underscores the difficulties of enforcing immigration rules amid political transitions. With Trump’s inauguration looming, the scramble to the border and the mixed signals from authorities in Mexico and the U.S. reveal the deep challenges of balancing humanitarian concerns with border security. For now, the caravans keep coming, and the political landscape on both sides of the border remains as turbulent as ever.
