Migrant caravans rush toward Mexico’s northern border
Plan International México expresses deep concern about the growing risks faced by displaced people, particularly women, children, and adolescents on the move, as the third caravan of the year makes its way from Chiapas to northern Mexico amidst escalating insecurity.
17 January 2025On January 14th, the third migrant caravan of 2025 set off from Chiapas in southern Mexico, heading towards the northern border of Mexico. Many families in southern Mexico are facing critical situations marked by violence, insecurity, and limited access to food, protection, and health services. In search of safety and stability, many are attempting to reach the United States before the new administration begins on January 20th.
The president-elect has announced plans to present over 100 executive orders during his first days in office, many of which will be aimed at increasing border security immediately. These measures could include escalating deportations, completing the U.S.- Mexico border wall, the creation of new detention centers, as well as reversing actions taken during the previous administration, such as the use of the CBP One mobile phone app, which helps individuals request an appointment with U.S. immigration authorities to enter the U.S.
Insecurity and armed violence in México are on the rise
According to the Global Peace Index (GPI), Mexico ranks among the least peaceful countries in Latin America. Displacement dynamics are impacting Mexican nationals and migrants, refugees and other people on the move throughout Mexico. As stated by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), more than 320,000 households relocated in 2023 as a measure to protect themselves from crime. Also, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC), there were an estimated 8,659 people internally displaced in Mexico because of conflict as of June 2024.
Plan International expresses deep concern over the context of violence and insecurity in Mexico, along with the increasing numbers of people in transit. According to the National Institute of Migration, between October and December of last year alone, around 9,000 people moved in various migrant caravans, including Haitians, Cubans, Dominicans, Venezuelans, and individuals from many other nationalities.
All forcibly displaced persons in Mexico, including migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and asylum seekers, traveling in families, in caravans or alone, together with children, adolescents and early childhood, are facing imminent and severe protection risks. They are often exposed to physical and sexual abuse, kidnappings, gender-based violence and lack of access to essential health services. Of great concern is the low recognition of international protection mechanisms in the response to these flows. Despite the efforts of many humanitarian organizations to facilitate and expand access to essential services, the need for food, safe shelter and medicines remains critical.
Equally alarming are the harsh conditions in migration centers—facilities that fail to provide adequate care and protection for displaced families, particularly children and adolescents. Many are left exposed to extreme environmental conditions, such as intense sun and rain, in overcrowded and unsafe spaces. Unaccompanied children and girls are especially at risk, vulnerable to extortion by armed groups, sexual violence and harassment, as well as human trafficking, as they wait or pass through them. Furthermore, the absence of proper security measures increases their exposure to organized crime networks operating in these areas.
Plan International’s appeal in Mexico
Plan International’s Mexico office is calling for immediate action to protect the rights and safety of migrants and displaced families, particularly children and adolescents as well as those who are unaccompanied, ensuring that their protection needs are met, that their rights are respected, and that accurate information is available to all people on the move, especially on resources and specialized services for the care of children. Mexico’s crisis needs greater visibility, as the flows of migrants, internally displaced persons or those seeking international protection, are not slowing down and will not stop soon.
If existing protection mechanisms are not strengthened or better public policies adapted, the new measures to be announced by the U.S. could have a negative impact on current trends in Mexico and the region as a whole. Irregular crossings through more dangerous zones could increase, exposing children and adolescent girls to greater risks, including arbitrary detention and family separation. Similarly, asylum systems and reception centers in border areas will experience higher overloads due to saturation of applications and stagnation of people.
There is an urgent need for better coordinated action by all actors in the humanitarian response, alongside national and local authorities, to ensure that displaced families and vulnerable children have adequate access to food, water, medical care, shelter, legal assistance and psychosocial support.
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