First Group of Migrants Arrive at California’s Southern Border

A splinter group comprised of hundreds of migrants traveling through Mexico, has begun arriving at the U.S. Mexico border in Tijuana amid intense media speculation.

According to local officials and advocates within the group, nearly 800 migrants have made the journey to Tijuana with thousands more expected to arrive throughout the coming weeks. This first wave, which is part of a much larger ‘migrant caravan’, remains stationary at the moment as they wait to consider their immigration options. Many are hoping to be granted sanctuary or asylum by the United States as others debate crossing illegally.

The NY Times reports “Authorities in Tijuana said they expected between 1,500 and 2,000 migrants associated with the caravan to arrive by the end of the day on Thursday, with many hundreds more showing up throughout the rest of the week. That influx could possibly overwhelm the city’s resources, they said.” Furthermore, another 3,000 or so migrants have made it to Mexico City where temporary shelters and aid are vastly overrun and portray a dismal scene.

The main caravan, which started its march north in early October and was mostly comprised of people from Honduras, has now greatly multiplied into was some experts believe could be over 10,000 people. Since leaving Honduras the group has quickly gathered large amounts of followers from Guatemala and Mexico who all share the common goal of entering the U.S.

“César Anibal Palencia Chávez, Tijuana’s director of migrant services, said Wednesday there were some 2,800 migrants not related to the caravan waiting their turn to apply for asylum at the United States border, with many of them filling the shelters. In addition, there were another 130 Mexican deportees, many also staying in the shelters,” says the Times.

The crisis has left Republicans and Democrats squandering over what while President Trump has already sent 15,000 troops to be spread across the border. The left attacked Trump for deploying a political stunt hoping to earn midterm votes while Trump has fired back stating the importance of building the wall and protecting American security.

Earlier this month the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying  “in fact, over 270 individuals along the caravan route have criminal histories, including known gang membership.  Those include a number of violent criminals – examples include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, sexual assault on a child.”

So far, there are no reports of large groups crossing the border yet as they remain just behind the line contemplating their next move.