After the US midterm elections: Migrants on their way to the USA

The masses slowly move forward under the tropical heat. Equipped only with the bare essentials: sun hat and glasses, backpacks, rolling suitcases. Many families with small children left with the caravan, which gathered in the border town of Tapachula. The hope of the more than 1,000 migrants: A more liberal US immigration policy after the Democrats' great success in the midterms. Like the Venezuelan Elena Lameda, who tells Reuters: "At least the governor who won in Texas said she will pave the way for us. And that's what we're waiting for. That's why we're heading north to see if we can achieve something."

Misinformation fuels hope

Texas' new governor, Gina Hinojosa, is the first Latina to lead the state. She never publicly promised to open the border. Nevertheless, such expectations are spreading among migrants. Misinformation surrounding US migration policy also fuels it. And the outcome of the midterm elections is actually causing new movement.

After there had hardly been any larger caravans from Central America since mid-2024, three have now set off from Tapachula in just over six weeks. They finally want to get out of the Tapachula dead end. According to estimates by local human rights organizations, around 30,000 people are stuck in the southern Mexican border town. Among them were some who were deported from the USA. For them there is no going forward and no going back.

The desperation is great, as with the Nicaraguan Cesar Sandoval: "We hope for the Latin American votes that were cast in the USA. I think that they will give us the chance to achieve our goals."

Trump threatens tariffs

But the election victory does not mean that the border will be opened. It is not the governor of Texas who decides whether to enter the USA, but rather the federal authorities and US President Donald Trump. He has now threatened Mexico: If the migrants are not stopped, he will double the tariffs.

The Mexican authorities repeatedly stop the caravans and try to educate the people, says Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. They are informed that they have no chance of reaching their destination, the USA. “Then we look for a way for them to return safely to their home countries,” said Sheinbaum. Most of those who were given this information then wanted to return to their country.

For some, however, returning is not an option - for example for those politically persecuted from Cuba and Nicaragua or for Haitians who are fleeing massive gang violence in their homeland. The hope for a life of security allows many to ignore the political hurdles that lie ahead. The latest caravan train is said to have slowly broken up again on its way north.