
Thousands of migrants from Central and South America have been travelling in caravans to the US-Mexico border to seek asylum in the United States. They are fleeing persecution, poverty, violence, political instability, and food insecurity in their home countries, which have been exacerbated by climate change. Travelling in large groups provides added safety and convenience for those making the journey.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Departure Point | San Pedro Sula, Honduras |
Date of Departure | 13 October |
Number of Migrants | 1,000-12,000+ |
Destination | Mexico-US border |
Distance Travelled | 4,000km (2,500 miles) |
Countries of Origin | Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Venezuela, Haiti, Africa |
Reason for Leaving | Violence, poverty, political instability, food insecurity, climate change |
Age Groups | Families, young people, small children |
Mode of Transport | Foot, bus, truck |
Time Taken | Several weeks |
Living Conditions | Sleeping outdoors, lack of sanitation, limited access to medicines |
Humanitarian Support | Oxfam, Amnesty International, local communities |
What You'll Learn
To escape violence, poverty, and political repression
The migrant caravans traveling from Central America to the United States are fleeing violence, poverty, and political repression in their home countries. These caravans are often comprised of thousands of people, including families with young children, who are seeking refuge and a better life in the United States.
Violence and Crime
Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, the countries from which many of the migrants originate, have some of the highest murder rates in Latin America and the world. In Honduras, for example, the murder rate is 800% higher than in the United States. The region also has one of the highest female homicide rates globally.
In addition to the high levels of violence, migrants are also fleeing the grip of criminal networks and gangs, known as "maras," that control territory and resources in these countries. These networks often extort money from residents, threatening them with death if they refuse to pay. Migrants have reported that they fear becoming the next victim of violence and would rather leave their homes and families behind in search of a safer place to live.
Poverty and Food Insecurity
The migrant caravans are also escaping widespread poverty and food insecurity, which have been heightened by climate change. Honduras, for instance, is one of the poorest and most unequal countries in Central America, with a poverty rate of 64.3% in 2018. Drought and crop failure due to climate change have further exacerbated these issues, leaving many without enough food and driving them to seek better economic opportunities elsewhere.
Political Repression
Political instability and repression are also factors contributing to the formation of the caravans. Central American countries, such as Honduras, have experienced political upheaval, such as the 2009 coup d'état in Honduras, which has contributed to the unstable and dangerous environment in the region.
Additionally, migrants have reported a lack of protection from their governments, as well as human rights abuses by authorities. For example, the Trump administration in the United States has implemented hostile policies towards migrants, including family separation and threats to close the southern border to Central American asylum seekers.
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To seek asylum
People traveling in caravans from Central America to the United States are seeking asylum from persecution, poverty, and violence in their home countries. They are fleeing from some of the most violent places in the world that are not war zones, with Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Venezuela having some of the highest average annual homicide rates globally.
The caravans are made up of families, including many young people and small children, who are escaping violence, poverty, and persecution in Central America. These groups are often targeted by human traffickers, falling prey to organized crime and drug cartels, or suffering abuses from the police or military. Traveling in large groups provides safety in numbers and minimizes the risk of being targeted.
Many of the migrants are seeking protection as refugees in the United States, a country that is bound by international law to hear asylum claims from those who have arrived on US soil or are seeking to enter US territory. Asylum seekers must be fleeing due to a serious fear of persecution, and if they enter the US illegally, they are still entitled to a hearing of their claim.
The decision to leave their homes and seek asylum in the United States is driven by several factors, including severe insecurity, runaway corruption, and a lack of economic opportunity. Central America's political class often colludes with and protects criminal groups, including drug-trafficking organizations, contributing to violence and impunity for crimes.
Additionally, droughts, floods, and other climate change-related phenomena are devastating agricultural economies and exacerbating hunger in rural communities. This has been particularly acute in Honduras, where flooding has forced people to leave their homes, and in Guatemala, where drought and heavy rainfall have caused flooding and landslides.
Intolerable situations of domestic violence also play a role, with Latin America having one of the highest levels of violence against women worldwide. The inability to obtain protection from local authorities is a significant factor driving women to migrate and seek asylum.
The caravans provide an additional level of security and convenience for those seeking to escape unstable and dangerous environments in their home countries. They are typically organized on social media platforms like Facebook and provide a sense of empowerment for those seeking to make their voices heard and express their frustrations with their political systems.
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To escape climate change
The Central American migrant caravans are formed of people fleeing their home countries for a variety of reasons, including violence, poverty, political instability, and gang activity. However, climate change is also a significant factor, particularly in the formation of caravans from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
In these countries, climate change has caused a drought that has lasted for five years, with spring rains—essential for the growth of corn, a staple crop in the region—failing to arrive. This has led to crop failures and food insecurity, pushing people to migrate in search of better opportunities.
The "dry corridor" of Central America, which includes parts of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, has been hit especially hard by the drought. In these areas, subsistence farmers rely entirely on what they grow to survive, and without rain, their crops are failing and they are facing hunger and starvation. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that over two million people in the region are at risk of hunger due to the drought.
Climate change has also contributed to an epidemic of leaf rust, a fungus that ravages coffee plants. Warmer temperatures have allowed the fungus to thrive, and as a result, coffee plants across Central America have been affected. This has disrupted the coffee industry, a major employer in the region, and led to further economic instability and migration.
While climate change is a significant factor in the formation of the caravans, it is often overlooked or underreported. Migrants themselves may not specifically mention "climate change" as a reason for leaving, as the concept is abstract and long-term. However, they are keenly aware of changes in weather patterns that affect their livelihoods.
The impact of climate change on migration is expected to increase in the coming years, with the World Bank estimating that climate change could displace up to 150 million people within their home countries by 2050 and millions more fleeing to wealthier countries. As global warming continues to compound the pressures on fragile and poor states, mass migrations are likely to become more common.
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To escape gang violence and extortion
Central America is known for its high rates of gang violence and extortion. For many, the decision to join a caravan heading north to the United States is motivated by a desire to escape these dangerous and often deadly conditions.
Gang violence has long been a pervasive issue in the region, with powerful criminal organizations exerting significant control over communities. These gangs engage in a range of illicit activities, including drug trafficking, You may want to see also Central American migrant caravans, also known as the Viacrucis del migrante ("Migrant's Way of the Cross"), are groups of migrants that travel from Central America to the Mexico–United States border to demand asylum in the United States. The migrant caravans are composed of people fleeing their home countries due to a variety of economic and social issues. One of the primary reasons for the formation of migrant caravans is to seek better economic opportunities. Many of those travelling in the caravans are seeking a better quality of life and hope to find higher-paying jobs in the United States. They aim to send money back to their families who remain in their home countries. The caravans are often made up of people from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, including students, bakers, bus drivers, small business owners, newspaper sellers, and waitresses. The economic situation in many Central American countries is dire, with high levels of poverty and income inequality. Honduras, for example, is one of the poorest and most unequal countries in the world, with a poverty rate of 64.3% in 2018. Drought and crop failure due to climate change have also exacerbated poverty and food insecurity, making it difficult for people to sustain themselves and their families. Additionally, political instability and gang violence in countries such as Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala have contributed to the economic hardships faced by their citizens. The lack of protection from governments, along with the prevalence of violent criminal networks, has made it difficult for people to safely earn a living. Many have faced death threats and extortion attempts by criminal gangs, making it challenging to run a business or hold down a job. The caravans offer a sense of security and empowerment to those travelling in them. Travelling in large groups provides protection from the dangers of the journey, such as kidnapping by human traffickers or falling victim to organized crime and drug cartels. The caravans also provide a platform for people to raise their voices and express their frustrations with the political and economic systems in their home countries. While the ultimate goal for many in the caravans is to reach the United States, some decide to settle in Mexico along the way. The Mexican government has implemented initiatives to encourage migrants to stay and contribute to the local economy, offering temporary work permits, IDs, medical attention, housing, and schooling for children. You may want to see also Caravans are traveling to the United States because people are fleeing violence, poverty, political instability, and persecution in their home countries. Push factors include drought, crop failure, and climate change. Honduras, for example, is one of the poorest and most violent countries in Central America, with a poverty rate of 64.3% in 2018. Pull factors include the prospect of higher salaries and the opportunity to join relatives who have already settled in the country. Traveling in a large group provides added security and convenience. Caravans also offer a sense of empowerment, allowing people to make their voices heard and express their frustrations with the political systems in their home countries. The US government's response has varied depending on the administration in power. The Trump administration took a hardline approach, deploying troops to the border, threatening to close the border, and proposing to pay Mexico to deport irregular migrants. On the other hand, the Biden-Harris administration has faced criticism for a record-breaking surge in illegal immigration.Is a Visa Considered a Travel Document?
To seek better economic opportunities
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