Hundreds of migrants, including about 100 who found themselves stranded in Acapulco, continue to face hardships as Mexico implements its policy of dispersing migrant caravans far from the U.S. border.
Migrants from countries like Venezuela and Cuba, lured by promises of transit permits to continue their journey north, found themselves stuck in the Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco on Monday. Struggling to navigate their next steps, many were left sleeping on streets or seeking shelter in a Catholic church near the local immigration agency offices.
“Immigration [officials] told us they were going to give us a permit to transit the country freely for 10, 15 days, and it wasn’t like that,” said 28-year-old Venezuelan migrant Ender Antonio Castañeda. “They left us dumped here without any way to get out. They won’t sell us [bus] tickets; they won’t sell us anything.”
Acapulco, a city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Otis in 2023 and grappling with high levels of organized crime, is an unusual destination for migrants. Despite federal efforts to restore the city, including deploying soldiers and the National Guard for reconstruction and security, violence and economic difficulties persist.
The policy of “dispersion and exhaustion,” employed by Mexican authorities, aims to break up high-profile migrant caravans and prevent a buildup of migrants near the U.S. border. Officials allow migrants to walk for days before offering transportation to various cities where their immigration status will be processed.
While some migrants receive permits allowing transit across Mexico, others are restricted to specific states, including Guerrero, where Acapulco is located. Meanwhile, the dangers of traveling through Mexico remain prevalent. Migrants frequently face risks of extortion and kidnapping by drug cartels, as well as corruption and bribes demanded by authorities.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has described her government’s approach as “humanitarian,” citing efforts to ease congestion in the southern city of Tapachula, a key waypoint near the Guatemalan border. However, migration advocates have criticized the relocation of migrants to areas like Acapulco, which lack the resources and infrastructure to support them.
Rev. Leopoldo Morales, a priest assisting migrants in Acapulco, expressed concern over their dire circumstances. “We know they’re going through a very difficult time, with a lot of needs. They arrive without money,” he said, adding that local churches have provided food, water, and clothing.
Acapulco’s high unemployment, compounded by storm damage and ongoing violence, makes it difficult for migrants to find work or safe passage north. For many, the journey to the U.S. border remains fraught with uncertainty and danger.
