MEXICO CITY — A new migrant caravan from Central America is on its way to the U.S. — the first one since the pandemic. And as the COVID-19 cases are still rising, Mexico is adding new rules to stop the virus and people from the caravan.
The caravan departed Thursday from Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras.
Like in past caravans, more migrants are expected to join as they cross Guatemala and Mexico on their way to the U.S.
Mexico has a flexible policy for refugees and transitory migrants. But the current administration has tightened security in the southern border by deploying the National Guard.
And as coronavirus deaths and cases grow in Mexico, new concerns are being raised.
Mexico’s National Institute of Migration announced that migrants crossing the southern border without following health protocols may face up to 10 years in jail.
According to the authorities, about 380 migrants are currently in Mexico with COVID-19.
