Quick Hit:

A new migrant caravan is heading to the U.S. border, motivated by fears of a Trump re-election that could shut down current immigration routes.

Key Details:

• The caravan, named "God is Guiding Us," started in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico.
• Migrants are concerned about Trump’s pledge to close the border if re-elected.
• Participants cited poor conditions and long waits for U.S. entry as reasons for joining.

Diving Deeper:

A new migrant caravan is making its way north toward the U.S. border, amid rising fears over a potential second term for Donald Trump. The group of around 1,000 migrants began their journey from Mexico's southern city of Tapachula over the weekend, with the intent to travel to Mexico City before ultimately attempting to reach the U.S. border.

The caravan consists of individuals from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Haiti, Panamá, and Costa Rica, as well as a smaller number of migrants from Afghanistan and Nepal. According to Breitbart Texas, the group was initially waiting in Tapachula for appointments through the Biden administration's CBP One program. However, frustration over long wait times and inadequate living conditions prompted organizers to push forward with the caravan.

Jonathan Rojas, a migrant from Colombia, expressed concern about the implications of a Trump victory. "There is real concern that if he [Trump] gets elected, they will close the border," Rojas said. Many migrants fear that the immigration system will become more restrictive under a potential Trump administration. Rojas, like many others in the caravan, said economic hardship and limited opportunities in his home country were the main reasons for leaving.

Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office on October 1, has seen the emergence of two caravans since her inauguration. Despite holding legal status in Mexico, many migrants are unwilling to continue waiting in overcrowded conditions in Chiapas, where they claim there is a lack of food, medical care, and basic supplies. Venezuelan publication La Verdad reported that the primary driver behind the movement is economic desperation, as migrants seek better opportunities in the United States.