14 Nov 2018 | 01:55 PM UTC
Mexico: Migrant caravans reaching Tijuana-San Diego border /update 1
First wave of the migrant caravans reaching Tijuana before attempting to cross into southern California; increased security measures
Event
Increased security measures are being implemented by the US authorities at the US-Mexican border, notably in the Tijuana-San Diego area, as caravans of migrants continue moving north. More than 7000 US soldiers are reportedly being deployed to the area; on Tuesday, November 13, US soldiers erected barricades and laid barbed wire to prevent unauthorized crossings. US Customs and Border Protection has announced that lanes at the San Ysidro border crossing would be closed; this, in addition to the expected influx of asylum seekers, will likely result in increased waiting times at this and other border crossings in the coming days and weeks.
The first wave of migrants has arrived at the Mexican border town of Tijuana and further arrivals are expected in the coming days. A visible migrant presence (e.g. makeshift camps) is to be anticipated in Tijuana in the coming weeks as migrants wait for the opportunity to cross the border.
Context
The caravan was initially expected to attempt to cross the border from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas into Texas. However, the caravan route has been rerouted to avoid more dangerous areas.
The initial
group of migrants left San Pedro Sula (Honduras) on October 13, growing
in size as it passed through Honduras and Guatemala. There are currently
four caravans in total, including one originating in El Salvador.
Advice
Individuals in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of the situation, keep their distance from the caravans as a precaution, and be prepared for disruptions at land border crossings.
