A large group of over 2,000 migrants embarked on a journey to the United States from Tapachula, Mexico, just hours before President Donald Trump's inauguration. This marks at least the tenth major caravan to depart from Tapachula since the U.S. election, according to Border Report. The journey to the U.S. border could take approximately 16 days of continuous walking for an adult. The caravan comprises men, women, and children from various nations, seen carrying their belongings and children through the city in the early morning darkness.

This movement comes despite President Trump's recent executive orders aimed at strengthening border security and restricting immigration. These orders include resuming construction of the border wall, halting Biden-era parole programs (including the CBP One app), and deploying troops to the border under U.S. Northern Command. Trump also declared a national border emergency.

Colombian migrant Erkin Torres, traveling with the caravan, expressed his belief that Trump's actions cannot override the United Nations, citing his perceived right to seek asylum. He emphasized the desire for improved economic stability and a brighter future for their children. Another migrant, Maria Leidis from Cuba, expressed hope that an alternative pathway to the U.S. would emerge despite the CBP One app being taken offline.

Migrants often join caravans for safety in numbers, believing it makes it harder for immigration authorities to detain them. Some seek transportation along the way, while others undertake the challenging journey on foot. Many caravans dissolve after a few days, and the Mexican government has been working to disband them, especially with President Trump's threat of tariffs if Mexico doesn't curb the migrant flow. The discontinuation of the CBP One app has also left many migrants stranded along the Mexican side of the border awaiting appointments.

In addition to canceling the CBP One app, Trump has reinstated the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy, requiring asylum seekers to stay in Mexico during their proceedings. He also designated certain international cartels and gangs, including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), enabling targeted actions against their members.