Hundreds of Honduran and Nicaraguan migrants were prevented from crossing through Guatemala by Guatemalan security forces while traveling as a caravan intended to approach and cross the U.S. southern border.
A group of 300 migrants crossed into the Guatemalan province of Izabal on Saturday, where anti-riot agents from the national police and army stopped them. Local officials are attempting to encourage migrants to return to their home countries.
“People are being returned, everything in order, humanely,” Guatemalan Migration Institute director Carlos Emilio Morales told Voice of America. “We are protecting our borders; we are protecting the health of all Guatemalans.”
NOVAK LEAVES AUSTRALIA AFTER FEDERAL COURT DISMISSES VISA APPEAL
Those who want to remain in Guatemala have been asked to provide identification documents, vaccination cards, and a negative coronavirus test.
The caravan left Honduras days before liberal politician Xiomara Castro was sworn in on Jan. 27, reported Reuters. The migrants began their journey early Saturday, hoping that traveling as a group would be safer than going on their own.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
This group is the first caravan registered in 2022. The caravan began as a group of 600 but divided into smaller groups to evade local authorities, reported VOA.
The Biden administration is still dealing with a border crisis despite promising to reverse Former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
