By Omar Bah
Many Gambian migrants, along with thousands of others, are currently in Mexico attempting to cross into the United States. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 686 deaths and disappearances of migrants on the US-Mexico border were documented in 2022, making it the deadliest land route for migrants globally on record.
In recent years, the composition of migrants in Mexico has evolved. While previously predominantly from Southern and Central America, migrants now hail from diverse corners of the globe. Reports indicate that individuals from The Gambia, China, Egypt, Jordan, Somalia, Mauritania, Kazakhstan, and Haiti are currently in Mexico, aiming to reach America. Additionally, there has been a noticeable shift in the attitude of the Mexican authorities.
Historically, the movement of migrants northward through Mexico, though challenging, faced minimal obstacles from the Mexican authorities. However, the United States grapples with managing the influx, resulting in a situation where individuals traveling through Mexico are continually redirected, making little headway in their journey. While migrants and asylum seekers can’t be prevented from moving, they can be requested to comply with regulations; otherwise, their documents might be invalidated. The individuals ‘ options are limited when the rules are in constant flux.
Following their crossing of the Usumacinta River from Guatemala, migrants take a break in the city of Hidalgo before joining forces in what is known as “caravans” to commence their journey northward. Traveling in groups provides safety from criminal elements targeting the migrants. Most individuals are equipped with tents, a crucial necessity for navigating the Darien Gap, a treacherous jungle passage between Colombia and Panama along the migrant route.
