A caravan from Central America reached the U.S.-Mexico border last week. Thousands of people are camped out as they wait at the Tijuana port of entry to claim asylum. A number of other caravans are currently making their way north to do the same.
Locals in Mexico have already had enough and organized a protest against the illegal migrants over the weekend. From the Associated Press:
Hundreds of Tijuana residents congregated around a monument in an affluent section of the city south of California on Sunday to protest the thousands of Central American migrants who have arrived via caravan in hopes of a new life in the U.S.
Tensions have built as nearly 3,000 migrants from the caravan poured into Tijuana in recent days after more than a month on the road, and with many more months ahead of them while they seek asylum. The federal government estimates the number of migrants could soon swell to 10,000.
The riot police have been trying to calm tensions, but with more people expected to arrive with limited resources, the situation is only heating up.
"They accused the migrants of being messy, ungrateful and a danger to Tijuana. They also complained about how the caravan forced its way into Mexico, calling it an 'invasion.' And they voiced worries that their taxes might be spent to care for the group."
— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) November 19, 2018
Are they racists too? https://t.co/UQID1LpKdR
Hundreds of Tijuana residents gathered today to protest the thousands of Central American migrants who have arrived via caravan hoping to seek asylum in the U.S. https://t.co/tEBSlZbSK5 pic.twitter.com/z9RMf0jTRj
— ABC News (@ABC) November 19, 2018
The Mayor of Tijuana, Mexico, just stated that “the City is ill-prepared to handle this many migrants, the backlog could last 6 months.” Likewise, the U.S. is ill-prepared for this invasion, and will not stand for it. They are causing crime and big problems in Mexico. Go home!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2018
Many Mexican protestors agree with President Trump's assessment of the caravan as an "invasion."
Mexican citizens are upset about lack of respect for borders. According to NBC News, some want their President to be like Trump.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) November 19, 2018
Elvia Vijeras said “[Trump] is defending his border, unlike our President. Now there will be more violence in Tijuana.”https://t.co/YGTyR8A0rm
Nationalists demanded the migrant caravan “go home.” The 300 marchers called the migrants criminals, said they take their jobs, and chanted “Viva Mexico, cabrones!” One held a “Mexico First!” sign in Spanish. #gettyimages #gettyimagesnews #caravanamigrante #border #gettyimages pic.twitter.com/K7xgbdeMP0
— John Moore (@jbmoorephoto) November 19, 2018
It could take up to six months to process the current caravan. One-hundred cases per day are being completed.
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