Following Donald Trump's presidential election victory, a massive caravan of migrants has halved in size, with many abandoning plans to enter the U.S. illegally.
The Daily Caller reported that the recent U.S. presidential election has markedly influenced migrant movements at the southern border. Donald Trump secured the presidency with a decisive win, collecting over 270 electoral votes and leading in the popular vote—a feat no Republican has achieved since 2004.
Trump's immigration declarations, which include pledges to complete the U.S.-Mexico border wall and undertake what he terms “the largest deportation operation in American history,” have resonated deeply with those at the U.S. border.
Migrants' reactions to the election outcomes are a mixture of fear and resignation, anticipating a tougher stance on illegal crossings and asylum protocols under the new administration.
The immediate impact was seen in Tapachula, Mexico, where a caravan originally numbering around 3,000 individuals started its northward journey on Tuesday. Following the news of Trump's electoral success, this group dwindled to approximately 1,500 by the end of the week. It's a stark depiction of dwindling hope among those seeking a new life in the U.S.
Among the caravan members, stories of disappointment and frustration emerged. Venezuelan migrant Valerie Andrade shared her disheartenment with Reuters, having supported Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost in the election.
"I had hoped [Vice President Kamala Harris] would win, but that didn’t happen," Andrade lamented, a sentiment echoed by many who viewed Harris as a softer stance on immigration.
Felipe, a migrant from Cuba, expressed a more somber resignation. Speaking to Newsweek, he said, "This is the end of my dream of getting out of Cuba." His words capture the despair felt by many who now see their paths to the U.S. as fraught with heightened challenges.
An unexpected twist in the election was the substantial Latino support for Trump. Approximately 45% of the Latino vote went to Trump, a significant increase from the 32% he garnered in the 2020 elections.
This surprising shift has stirred discontent among migrants, with Venezuelan migrant Mahily Paz criticizing the Latino voter turnout for Trump. “They forgot about when they were on the other side,” Paz stated to Newsweek, reflecting a sense of betrayal.
Despite the overarching gloom, some migrants still hold onto hope. Jeilimar, another Venezuelan migrant, hopes to secure an asylum appointment through the U.S. CBP One app. "With God’s favor, I’ll get that appointment," she optimistically told Reuters.
The Biden administration and immigration officials now face concerns about a potential surge in migrant numbers at the border before Trump's inauguration.
This anticipated rush is driven by migrants eager to enter the U.S. before Trump's strict policies come into effect, suggesting a tense period ahead for border management and migration policy.
The halved caravan, the disappointment expressed by migrants like Andrade and Felipe, and the unexpected Latino support for Trump all paint a complex picture of the current immigration landscape.
As the U.S. prepares for Trump’s term, all eyes will be on how these dynamics continue to evolve at the southern border.