Mexico City: Mexican authorities announced on Sunday that they had discovered over 250 migrants packed into a double-trailer truck in the state of Chihuahua. Immigration agents, supported by the Mexican army, found the truck at a checkpoint on Friday, the country's defence ministry reported.
The migrants, who come from various countries, were taken to immigration facilities for processing and to verify their status. The truck driver was arrested and handed over to the public prosecutor’s office for further investigation.
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A dangerous journey
Transporting migrants hidden in overcrowded trucks is a dangerous tactic often used by human smugglers. This discovery highlights the extreme risks migrants face while travelling through Mexico in hopes of reaching the US border.
In 2022, over 50 migrants tragically died when they were abandoned in a hot, sealed truck that had crossed into Texas from Mexico. Many others opt for long and treacherous journeys on foot, joining caravans that endure hunger, exhaustion, and the constant threat of criminal gangs along the way.
US border crossings and changing policies
The discovery comes at a time of heightened concern among migrants about the future of US asylum policies. Following Donald Trump’s recent election victory, there are fears that it may become more difficult to seek asylum in the United States under his presidency.
US border patrol encounters with migrants attempting to cross illegally from Mexico dropped significantly in September, falling to around 54,000 from nearly 250,000 in December 2022. This decrease followed an order by outgoing President Joe Biden in June, which limited asylum requests after daily thresholds were met.
Agency
Published: 11 Nov 2024, 08:21 am IST
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