Eagle Pass, Texas — A new caravan of roughly 3,000 migrants is on the move, making its way to the U.S. border on Election Day, as officials from the Border Patrol anticipate this being part of what they describe as a ‘mad dash’ to enter the United States before changes occur with the presidential transition.
The caravan embarked from Tapachula, which is located about 50 miles from the Guatemalan border, and is expected to cover the challenging 2,000-mile route to the U.S. The procession comprises men, women, and children hoping for new lives north of the border.
According to sources familiar with the Border Patrol operations, there’s heightened vigilance surrounding the election period as it is anticipated to trigger another surge of migration. "If Trump wins, they are gonna try to get here before he’s in office,” said one Border Patrol source. “It’s one last f—k you to America." Another source echoed this sentiment, noting, "We knew this wave was coming because they want to get in before 'orange bad man' wins." With the presidential election looming, many migrants are racing against time, hoping to secure their position before potential policy shifts.
Already, estimates suggest over 10 million migrants will have been apprehended attempting to cross the border by the close of President Biden’s term, which officially concludes the following January. Last year alone saw one of the largest spikes, largely due to the ending of the Trump-era Title 42 policy, resulting in over one million people trying to cross the border within months.
The new influx of migrants isn’t occurring without concern. Many within the caravan fear the future under potential Trump administration policies, as the former president has consistently made illegal immigration the cornerstone of his campaign, threatening to end many asylum programs and deport millions if re-elected.
Even with the possibility of Trump losing the election, anxiety lingers among migrants. Vice President Kamala Harris has reiterated the need to bolster border security as the election approaches. This uncertainty fuels the urgency for migrants to cross now.
Among the caravan participants is Roy Murillo, a Honduran migrant traveling with his pregnant wife and two children. "We want U.S. authorities to see us, to see we are people who want to work, not to harm anyone,” he said. Murillo highlighted the harsh realities of remaining at home, noting, "Here, the cartels either kidnap you or kill you." His family, like many others, is part of the latest group seeking asylum as they navigate through Mexico following similar migrations from Honduras and El Salvador.
This caravan emerges shortly after another group consisting of 2,000 migrants also left Tapachula. Experts suggest these large movements will likely continue, as the border remains active. One Border Patrol source commented, “They [the migrants] will make it. They always do.”
Meanwhile, back on the U.S. side, Eagle Pass has seen overwhelming activity as agents contend with the rising number of migrants. On Election Day morning, reports indicated migrants entering the country with the help of guides known as coyotes. A few families were spotted crossing the Rio Grande with inner tubes, bravely making their way through strong currents.
The scene at Eagle Pass remains busy, as Border Patrol records show more than 300 migrants surrendering each day. While the overall rate of apprehension has decreased, with 54,000 migrants caught over September alone (a notable 7.2% decline from the previous month), the Biden administration is still overseeing significant migration crises, with record-high numbers of crossings.
Concerns around the migrants' safety are rampant, as many travel groups offer some sense of protection from Mexican cartels during their arduous journeys. Migrants express their desperate hope for acceptance, often detailing the hardships they face back home. Many are simply searching for opportunities and safety, wanting to convey their aspirations to U.S. authorities.
With the new election and its potential consequences just around the corner, the situation for countless migrants grows increasingly complicated. The results of this election may decide the future for many families, with the specter of Trump’s immigration policies casting a long shadow over their hopes for asylum.
The impression remains clear: whatever happens at the polls, there are still many willing to take immense risks for the possibility of safety and stability.
