Caravan migrants sing along with Mariachis in Mexico City
665 views · Published 13 November 2018 · 1:43 · Indexed 19 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(8 Nov 2018) Central American migrants traveling in a Caravan hoping to reach the United States, enjoyed a musical break singing along with a Mariachi band in Mexico City. The band played a famous song entitled, "Tres veces mojado", Spanish for "Three times a wetback," which talks about migrants and the dangers they endure in their pursuit of a better life in the United States. Sergio Calderon, a 27-year-old truck driver from San Pedro Sula, Honduras says he already attempted to cross into the United States once back in 2005, but was caught by US forces immediately upon crossing the Rio Bravo into New Laredo and deported back to his home country. He now hopes his second attempt will be successful. The Mexican government has said most of the migrants have refused offers to stay in Mexico, and only a small number have agreed to return to their home countries. About 85 percent of the migrants are from Honduras, while others are from the Central American countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Mexico City authorities say that of the 4,841 registered migrants receiving shelter in a sports complex, 1,726 are under the age of 18, including 310 children under five. Mexico City is more than 600 miles from the nearest US border crossing at McAllen, Texas, and a previous caravan in the spring opted for a much longer route to Tijuana in the far northwest, across from San Diego. That caravan steadily dwindled to only about 200 people by the time it reached the border. Other activists and officials explained the options available to migrants in Mexico, which has offered them refuge, asylum or work visas. The government said 2,697 temporary visas had been issued to individuals and families to cover them while they wait for the 45-day application process for a more permanent status. But some migrants had been visiting the organization's tent asking about how they can return home. On Wednesday night, a bus left from Mexico City to return 37 people to their countries of origin. Migrants in the stadium have said that they will decide their route and date of departure at a meeting scheduled for Thursday night. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/7ef7974f4bd4c57303c70dc37f5bb032
