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Authorities Expecting Caravan
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Authorities Expecting Caravan

A new migrant caravan with thousands of people is currently making its way towards El Paso, Texas, and is expected to arrive in the city soon. The group, which consists of about 2,000 migrants, began their journey earlier this month from Tapachula, a city located at the southern tip of Mexico near the Guatemala border. Videos posted on social media show the large group walking along roads and carrying a large white cross with red lettering.

The caravan, known as the “Way of the Cross Migrants,” is made up of men, women, and children from various countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, as well as 17 other countries. According to Voir Dire International, a group that tracks mass migration, the migrants are headed towards Ciudad Juarez, which shares a border with El Paso.

The organizer of the caravan, Luis Villagran from the Center for Human Dignity in Tapachula, stated that the migrants have “no other option” but to travel together or hitchhike in order to avoid danger. He added that they have to walk long distances and face various challenges, including the risk of death.

The migrants have been assisted by local churches in El Paso, who are preparing shelter for their arrival. Bishop Mark Seitz of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso stated that the city is capable of handling the influx of migrants and providing a safe and orderly process for them to continue on their journey.

However, the news of the caravan’s arrival has also raised concerns, especially in light of a recent incident in which a group of migrant men violently stormed the El Paso border and assaulted National Guard members. The incident, which occurred on March 21, resulted in the arrest of more than 70 migrants on misdemeanor rioting charges.

In response to the incident, the Texas National Guard sent 200 members of the Tactical Border Force to El Paso. The force specializes in dealing with civil disturbances. The state has also increased security measures in the city, including installing additional border wire.

The southern border has been in a state of crisis for years, with last year seeing over 2.5 million migrants apprehended while attempting to cross the border, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The situation has been exacerbated by the Biden administration’s policies, which have resulted in more than 2.3 million border crossers being released into the country since 2021.

Furthermore, between October 1 and January, over 96,000 “known gotaways” have reportedly crossed the southern border, indicating a significant number of migrants who were not apprehended. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current border security measures.

The influx of migrants has also had a significant impact on major cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. New York City has reported over 183,000 migrants arriving since the spring of 2022, while Chicago has seen over 37,000. The cost of accommodating and providing for these migrants has led to the cities spending tens of millions of dollars on services such as food and shelter.

Overall, the arrival of this new migrant caravan to El Paso has brought attention to the ongoing border crisis and the challenges faced by both the migrants and the cities they are heading towards. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the city will handle the arrival of the group and the potential impact on resources and security.

Written by Arthur Higgens - April 4, 2024