Caravan migrants from Central America launch hunger strike at US-Mexico border

Katy Clifton30 November 2018

Migrants camped out at the US-Mexico border waiting to plead their case for asylum in America have launched a three-day hunger strike to protest the police blocking their way.

Members of the 6,000-strong caravan, mostly from Honduras, have been sleeping in an overcrowded shelter since they arrived in Tijuana, across the border from San Diego three weeks ago.

Mexican immigration authorities working on the border on Thursday began transporting some of the migrants via buses to a new shelter to help lessen the strain on the shelter.

Under the strict immigration policies introduced by the Trump administration, US border officials say they may have to stay put in Mexico for months before they can petition the authorities.

Migrants walk amidst flooded tents after heavy rain poured down on a sports complex sheltering thousands
AP

As the sports complex serving as the main shelter partially flooded due to the rain, police stopped more than a dozen migrants approaching the nearby El Chaparral border crossing.

"What the police are doing is unfair," said Gerson Madrid, a 22-year-old migrant who started the trek to the US in early October to better provide for a young daughter he left behind.

"The truth is we are fighting for our rights, why are (the police) treating us like this if we're not causing them or the Mexican people any trouble?”

Mr Madrid said the group was starting a three-day hunger strike to draw attention to the standoff.

Migrants in a shelter in the border city of Tijuana
EPA

Officials with Mexico's human rights commission said the new facility opened on Thursday is bigger than the sports complex, which can handle only about 2,000 people.

They said it will ensure migrants are not forced to sleep outside.

Migrants in Tijuana announced a hunger strike starting on Thursday
EPA

Overcrowding along with cooler temperatures and rain has already helped spread illness among migrants, including flu-like sicknesses, lice and chicken pox, according to city officials.

Despite the conditions, many caravan migrants appeared determined to wait as long as it takes, with more than 600 applying for work permits in Mexico earlier this week.

President Donald Trump has threatened to "permanently" close the US-Mexico border if Mexico does not deport those gathered in Tijuana.

Mexico's government has pushed back, arguing that the migrants have a right to ask US officials for asylum.

UN agencies said this week asylum seekers fleeing violence or persecution are entitled to lodge claims to obtain sanctuary.

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