This is what Trump’s caravan 'invasion' really looks like
Those walking to the
US to seek asylum have been demonized by Trump, who sent more than 5,000
soldiers to await them at the border. Bryan Mealer traveled
with the most vulnerable among them
By the time I reach the migrant caravan in late
October, they’d been traveling for two weeks since leaving Honduras, having covered
over 600 miles. Leaving from San Pedro Sula, one of the deadliest cities on
Earth, they’d set out over mountains, through forest and rivers, and along the
way became both an international menace and a symbol of hope. Most days, they
tell me, afternoon rains had soaked their belongings. Ants had bitten them
where they slept. Crossing into Mexico, riot police had attacked them with
clubs and teargas.
But for the most part,
they say, people had displayed extraordinary kindness. Farmers had greeted them
on the roads with sliced oranges and bags of water and strangers had given them
rides. Every day brought these tiny, unexpected miracles: a plate of beans when
their children were crying, a pickup when their legs could go no further. And
for that reason, they believe that God is traveling with them on this journey
to America.
I discover them in San
Pedro Tapanatepec in the southern state of Oaxaca, traveling along the
Pan-American Highway, on what turned out to be the toughest day of the journey.
The towns had been small, and few vehicles had passed along the country roads.
Most of all, it had been hot, with temperatures reaching 95F (35C). Families
with children had walked over nine hours and, once arrived, had collapsed into
every nook and crevice of the town.
A caravan of 4,000
people doesn’t simply visit a town, it swallows it whole, figuratively if not
physically, and takes it hostage with its energy and chaos. Migrants move
through the streets stalling traffic. Their bedrolls occupy every open porch
and sliver of shade. Near the market, lines of them spill out from the internet
cafe and the Western Union. A crowd overwhelms the merchant selling cellular
plans, and for about two hours they bring down the network. Along the streets,
residents peer out though closed shades and many businesses have closed... read more:
