A growing number of migrants, mostly from Central and South America, is journeying on foot from southern Mexico toward the United States. The migrant caravan, now estimated at around

7,000 people, has expanded from 5,000 in just a few days. US President Joe Biden is set to meet with regional leaders to discuss strategies for reducing migrant flows to the US.

Critics have challenged President Biden's handling of migration issues, particularly at the US-Mexico border. Some Republicans argue that he has not done enough to control the influx, while Democrat mayors in cities that have received migrants have voiced concerns about their ability to accommodate and provide for them.

In both the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years, the number of individuals apprehended at the US southern border exceeded 2 million. In September 2023 alone, over 200,000 migrants were apprehended unlawfully crossing the US-Mexico border, according to US Homeland Security data.

Migrants participating in this caravan left Tapachula on Monday, determined to reach the US. For some, the decision to embark on this journey was driven by economic hardship and a lack of opportunity in their home countries. Organizers, such as Irineo Mújica from the NGO People without Borders, have described the need to undertake such actions as an attempt to save lives due to rising crime and violence in Chiapas state, where the Mexican authorities have reportedly left them stranded.

Previous caravans have faced confrontations with Mexican police, who attempted to prevent them from walking along major highways. The journey underscores the ongoing challenges related to migration and asylum-seekers from the region. Photo by Amyyfory, Wikimedia commons.