Hundreds of migrants have formed a new caravan in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on Wednesday and are headed toward the U.S. southern border.
The formation seems to be an effort to recreate the caravan formed in late 2018, with some migrants traveling in groups, hitching rides from others, and waving Honduran flags. The report shows that some migrants have already reached the Guatemalan border Wednesday afternoon, according to the Associated Press.
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said the Honduran migrants would be allowed free passage across the border so long as they possess identification.
“We are going to ask for their papers from the parents or guardians in the caravan, and if they don’t have them, they will be returned to Honduras. We have to protect the rights of children,” Giammattei said.
Many countries prohibit minors from traveling without expressed consent from parents or legal guardians. In the past, migrants have, in many cases, traveled with children who are not their own.
“We are going to be extremely demanding as far as minors are concerned,” Giammattei said.
Guatemalan police are reportedly arresting some migrants without identification.
#Breaking: Just in – #Guatemala police authorities are pushing a migrant caravan back towards #Honduras near the border of both countries. pic.twitter.com/enwo9cZXxu
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) January 15, 2020
Some migrants explicitly recognized the difficult journey that awaits them across Mexico but felt the risks were worth the potential reward of entrance to the United States.
Gerson Noe Monterroso, 34, a migrant from Choloma, Honduras, told the Associated Press that this is his third attempt to enter the U.S. “Here in Honduras, opportunities are scarce and crime is unbearable. We are not even safe in our own homes,” he said.
