Over 2,000 Migrants Begin Walking From Southern Mexico Toward US Amid Deportation Threats

Over 2,000 migrants from different countries began walking early Monday in the south of Mexico, leaving the city of Tapachula near the Guatemalan border, with the aim of reaching the United States, despite President Donald Trump's warnings about mass deportations and stricter asylum rules.

Many parents in the group pushed strollers or carried their children on their shoulders, as they traveled along the highway.

A migrant from Venezuela, traveling with his wife and son, said their goal was to reach Mexico City. He believed the city offered better job opportunities and a chance to settle in Mexico, while waiting for potential changes under the new U.S. government. This group was at least the tenth large caravan of migrants to leave Tapachula since the U.S. election, the Border Report mentioned.

However, these caravans make up only a small portion of the daily migration through Mexico toward the U.S. border. Most of these groups break apart after a few days, with migrants continuing their journey in smaller groups or with their families.

Shortly after taking office as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, Trump started implementing a series of executive orders to increase security along the southern border.

These actions fulfilled his major campaign promise to take a tough stance on immigration. On the same day, the Trump administration ended the use of a border app called CBP One. This app allowed nearly one million people to enter the United States legally and apply for work eligibility.

A Customs and Border Protection notice stated that the app, which migrants used to book appointments at eight border entry points, was no longer available, and existing appointments were canceled.

Other plans include involving the United States military and redefining the rules for who can become an American. However, carrying out such extensive immigration changes was expected to face legal and logistical obstacles.

Earlier this month, acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director P.J. Lechleitner slammed former President Joe Biden for allegedly not acting sooner to improve border security and reduce the flow of migrants into the United States.