The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a strong warning to a major migrant caravan that crossed into Mexico and was moving north with hopes of reaching the U.S.-Mexico border.
“USBP is closely engaged with its international partners to monitor their movement and any additional developments,” DHS told Fox News in a statement. “[United States Border Patrol] USBP reminds migrants that under the leadership of President Trump and Homeland Secretary Mullin, the border has remained closed and secured for the last 16 months.”
The caravan, numbering in the hundreds as of Monday, is predominantly made up of Hondurans, Guatemalans, Salvadorans, Ecuadoreans and Haitians.
The USBP said the caravan departed San Pedro Sula, Honduras on Sept. 20.
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Any migrants considering making the journey to the southern border should be aware that the days of “catch and release” are over, “and Biden’s disastrous open border policy has been SEALED SHUT,” DHS said.
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“Anyone attempting to illegally enter the United States will be apprehended, prosecuted, and removed from the country,” DHS said.
Reports of the caravan came amid a contentious midterm election cycle where the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration has been a popular talking point from both sides of the political aisle.
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President Donald Trump has mandated sweeping deportations and expanded crackdowns nationwide amid historically low levels of illegal immigration since he took office last year.
Some migrants said they were headed to the U.S. for better economic opportunities.
“I want to reach the United States,” Honduran migrant José Zelaya, traveling with seven relatives, told the Spanish-language EFE news agency, the Houston Chronicle reported.
He said the caravan had no organized leadership, adding that “hunger and need” were the driving forces behind the journey.
