Mexican Migration authorities stop migrant caravan in Veracruz

Members of the National Guard and the Mexican National Migration Institute (INM) mounted an operation on Tuesday in the southern area of Veracruz to stop the advance of a migrant caravan.

Several checkpoints were set up on highways where approximately 300 officers met with the migrants coming from Oaxaca.

On Tuesday morning, members of the caravan began their trek from the municipality of Matias Romero, Oaxaca, and attempted to reach Jesus Carranza, Veracruz. When the caravan arrived at the border between the two states, there was an INM checkpoint waiting for them, reported the organizers of the caravan.

“The caravan will not be allowed to continue advancing as it has done so far,” said the director of the Veracruz Attention to Migrants, Carlos Escalante.

The checkpoints will prevent undocumented migrants from passing through, explained the official. However, the INM will offer visitor cards valid for one year to the members of the caravan.  

The governor of Veracruz, Cuitláhuac García, warned of the risks faced by migrants who resort to “polleros,” who charge them up to $2,000 to take them to the United States.

Originating in Tapachula, Chiapas, Veracruz is the third state that the migrant caravan passes through since October 23. At one point, the caravan numbered approximately 6,000 people, but the number has been reduced as many of its members accepted offers from Mexican authorities and received humanitarian or permanent resident visitor cards.

The confrontation on November 4th between members of the National Guard and INM agents with members of the caravan also decreased their numbers. Several of the caravan members were arrested and injured in those events.