Mexican authorities started raiding the trains to pull migrants off in mid-2014 and the number of Central Americans aboard the train fell to a smattering. “They’re riding the train again, that’s a fact,” said Solalinde, who shelter now houses about 300 train-riding migrants. With throngs of police pickups and small immigration vans parked at checkpoints up and down the narrow waist of southern Mexico, hitchhiking, taking buses or walking is no longer an option. Just like increased U.S. border protection, Mexico’s increased enforcement efforts push migrants into using more dangerous means of travel. Solalinde compared it to trying to squeeze off a leaky garden hose: Wherever Mexican authorities crackdown, the migrants find an alternate route.

Source: National Post April 24, 2019 17:26 UTC