Over 1,000 Central American migrants from a caravan that crossed Mexico reunited in Tijuana and are planning to cross the U.S. border this weekend in defiance of threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to keep them out.
Busloads of migrants began arriving on Tuesday at a shelter that was a five minute-walk from the border and within sight of a U.S. flag waving under an overpass connecting the two countries.
The timing of the migrants arrival could compromise a flurry of talks this week to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Trump has repeatedly threatened to scrap if Mexico does not crack down on the flow of Central Americans through its territory.
According to Reuters, the migrants began streaming into Tijuana this week; vowing to cross into California starting Saturday morning.
“The wall doesn’t look that tall,” said a 15-year-old girl from Honduras. “I really want to cross it.”
“Thanks to god we’re here,” added a 34-year old Guatemalan worker accompanied by two children.
Earlier this month, President Trump demanded Mexico deal with the migrant ‘caravan’ as it worked its way through Mexico towards the United States.
Mexican authorities did prevent some workers from making their way towards the border. Initial estimates being upwards of 1500 people. It remains unclear how federal authorities will handle the asylum seekers.