The caravan traveling from Central America to the United States has officially arrived at the United States-Mexico border in Tijuana, just south of San Diego, California, The New York Times reported. The illegal aliens on the caravan have survived the dangerous trek thus far but now they're in for real trouble: figuring out how to get into the United States, especially now that the military was deployed.
President Donald Trump has promised to make it impossible for illegal aliens to seek asylum so caravan riders are considering their options. Some are setting up appointments with border patrol officials in hopes of pleading their case, others are contemplating staying in Mexico while another section will probably cross the border illegally.
In preparation for the caravan's arrival, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reminded troops of their mission: making it difficult for illegal aliens to successfully cross the border.
“On one hand, we feel some happiness for having arrived at this point,” caravan rider Wisthon José Betancourt said. “But we’re a little worried about what Trump is going to do.”
According to local officials, around 800 individuals have arrived in Tijuana and more are expected to arrive in the coming days; they're still traveling through Mexico.
Those who are still traveling in Mexico are hoping to catch a ride from private citizens or on buses that have been donated by various organizations and churches.
Government officials in Tijuana expect between 1,500 and 2,000 caravan riders to arrive by the end of the day on Thursday and more throughout the remainder of the week.
According to César Anibal Palencia Chavez, Tijuana’s director of migrant services, 2,800 illegal aliens not associated with the group are currently waiting for asylum in the United States. They, too, are waiting in local shelters.
Chavez said Tijuana and Baja Mexico pleaded for the Mexican federal government to help the city with the influx of people – something they consider a "humanitarian crisis" – but they have not received a response.
“The federal government is not accompanying us,” he said. “It’s worrisome for a city to be left alone.”