A 1,200-person caravan comprised mostly of Cuban migrants has departed from Mexico’s southern city of Tapachula, embarking on a weeks-long journey in pursuit of improved economic prospects. However, their intended destination is Mexico City, not the U.S. border.
The caravan’s choice of destination signals a notable shift in regional trends, as President Trump’s strict immigration policies take effect.
The group, which began its journey earlier this month, is anticipated to take several weeks to reach Mexico City, where migrants hope to secure higher-paying employment opportunities, in contrast to the more impoverished southern regions of Mexico.
Tapachula, located within Mexico’s poorest state of Chiapas, has struggled for years to manage the migrant crisis due to its proximity to the Guatemalan border. This area has long seen people fleeing gang violence and poverty originating from the Northern Triangle countries.
According to the Washington Office on Latin America, the migrant group is utilizing social media to coordinate efforts to assist with asylum cases and proper documentation for individuals seeking to officially reside in Mexico City.
El Pais reported last week that financial abuse remains a primary concern for migrants seeking relocation assistance. The report indicated that this issue continues to be one of the chief obstacles faced by the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance.
Despite concerns over financial exploitation during attempts to relocate in Mexico, the Spain-based publication noted that many migrants still view staying there as preferable to heading to the U.S. under Trump.
“Why would I want to go to the United States? They hate us there,” one Cuban woman, traveling with her 2-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son, told the news outlet.
While immigration to the U.S. during the Trump administration, particularly amid his second term, has significantly declined, the decision by Cuban migrants not to seek life in the U.S.—despite the presence of large communities with strong U.S. ties in places like Florida and New York—is significant.
However, it is too early to determine if this trend will be long-lasting, Elaine Dezenski, senior director and head of the Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP) at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, informed Fox News Digital.
“According to the International Organization for Migration, approximately 50% of migrants surveyed across Mexico in mid-2025 stated they considered Mexico their destination – an increase from less than 25% at the end of 2024,” she said. “This suggests that heightened U.S. border enforcement and deportations are influencing migrants’ choices, with more now seeking asylum and work authorization in Mexico instead of continuing to the U.S.”
In the months since Trump’s return to the top job, Customs and Border Protection has reported that southern border encounters have decreased compared to rates observed in past years.
Earlier this year, the Migration Policy Institute highlighted that monthly southern border encounters were at levels not seen in years.
Dezenski cautioned that while some may commend the control of undocumented migration into the U.S. as a positive adjustment for border security, “serious conversations” are necessary regarding immigration’s role in sustaining a healthy economy.
“Both Mexico and the U.S. are experiencing labor shortages in key sectors. While uncontrolled, undocumented immigration is not a solution, the absence of comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. risks leaving many jobs unfilled – particularly in industries that rely heavily on migrant labor, such as agriculture,” she explained. “Today, immigration reform is frequently equated with border security.
“However, we also need a serious conversation about the essential skills and labor our economies require and the role immigration plays in sustaining long-term economic health,” Dezenski concluded.