The Unwavering Immigrant Spirit
By Kiara Palomares
Staff Writer
It all started on October 12th, when a group of 160 individuals gathered at a bus terminal to flee rampant violence and unemployment in Honduras. Grabbing speed and publicity those 160 individuals quickly increased to 6,000. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. It’s also one of the most violent attributed to the fact that Honduras is a center point for drug trafficking.
Trump has stated “they’re not coming in. We’re going to do whatever we have to, they’re not coming in,” as he suspects potential terrorists are mixed in the group. However, on various accounts, immigrants traveling in the caravan, with their children, have stated that they want to get to America to give their children a better future—an opportunity that is unattainable in Central America. The plight of these immigrants has been like no other, and their spirit—despite battling 1,200 miles under dreadful circumstances—is still unwavering. Karen Martinez from Copan, Honduras is one of the individuals traveling to the United States with her three children. Like the others her journey has not been easy, “Sometimes we go along laughing, sometimes crying, but we keep going” she said.
Some intersecting cities and towns have taken it upon themselves to provide food, water, and shelter to the migrants making their way to the United States. Under the scorching sun, migrants face severe dehydration and sunburn. When shelter lacks, people will rest on the side of roads and abandoned train tracks. After miles of walking, many individuals are catching rides from platform trailers, pick-up trucks, and trucks intended for chickens and pigs.
About 5,000 individuals are currently in Mexico resting, awaiting orders for their next move. Many are struggling with fatigue, chest colds, and most of all sore feet. A soccer stadium in Mexico has opened its doors for people to take shelter.
The Trump administration claims there is a crisis at the border. However, realistically speaking this is the lowest migration has been. In 2000, 1.6 million people were arrested trying to enter the country, in comparison, less than 400,000 people were detained in 2018. Trump signed a proclamation that denies asylum to immigrants who do not enter at a port of entry; this proclamation was drafted specifically to hinder the individuals in the caravan. United States law does not require an individual to come through a port of entry in order to claim asylum. The people in the caravan do not pose a threat to United States security. They’re mothers, fathers, and children who are abandoning their home because it fails to facilitate safety and optimism to lead healthy lives.
Kiara Palomares is a Staff Writer
