Migrant Caravan Losing Steam Amidst Drop-Outs and Failures

The Central American caravan heading to the United States has become a flashpoint in American politics, but at the rate things are going now, it may not arrive at our southern border with nearly the strength expected. Down to 4,000 people from a peak of nearly 10,000, the caravan is bleeding travelers by the day as weary migrants either accept Mexico’s offer to stay and work or leave the journey to head back home to Honduras. Morale is dropping, the caravan’s speed is diminishing, and President Trump’s hostile message to the migrants is no doubt giving many of its participants second thoughts about completing the trek.

The latest setback for the caravan comes in the form of a refusal from the Mexican government. The caravan’s activist organizers wanted the government to provide dozens of buses so that the migrants could experience “safe and dignified” transportation to Mexico City. But the government rejected the request, leaving the migrants with no choice but to hoof it the rest of the way.

“The attempt to travel by bus failed,” coordinator Walter Cuello told the AP on Wednesday.

One member of the caravan, 28-year-old Hasiel Hernandez, told the AP that she and her friends were just about ready to call it a day. “Of the friends that I have been with,” she said, “all want to go back.”

Additionally, more than 2,000 former members of the caravan have dropped out to accept Mexico’s offer of staying and working under a special government program.

Unfortunately, even as the first, largest caravan loses steam, there are more developing. Three other caravans have already formed and are making their way slowly towards Mexico and the United States. One of comprised of approximately 1,000 migrants, another is made up of about 500 from El Salvador, and a third group of 700 launched from that country on Wednesday.

In a tweet on Wednesday, President Trump warned Americans not to take seriously the media’s portrayal of the caravan as an innocent gathering of oppressed asylum-seekers.

“The Caravans are made up of some very tough fighters and people,” he wrote. “Fought back hard and viciously against Mexico at Northern Border before breaking through. Mexican soldiers hurt, were unable, or unwilling to stop Caravan. Should stop them before they reach our Border, but won’t!”

Hopefully the same will not happen at the U.S. border, where Democrats and their leftist NGO allies are going to do everything in their power to welcome these illegals into the country. Whether it’s a caravan of hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands, we have to get smart about protecting our nation. We cannot afford to follow Europe’s example and allow our country to become overrun with people who will never assimilate to our culture or our values.