CNN reported that migrants moving north in new caravans described feeling “hopeful” after Democrats’ election gains, with some telling the outlet they expect it may now be easier to reach the United States. CNN said it did not publish the last names of migrants it interviewed.
What CNN reported from the road
“Some told CNN that with the imminent Democratic majority in Congress, they are betting it will be easier to reach the United States,” the outlet wrote. CNN reported that caravans departed Honduras and El Salvador last week after Democrats regained control of Congress. A bus company employee told CNN, “This is not the usual flow of passengers.”
CNN quoted a Honduran national identified as Santiago, who said he had been deported twice: “We hope that with this change, everything will improve for us.” Another migrant identified as Beatriz M. described Democratic power as “the hope,” CNN reported.
Individual migrant accounts cited
The source article also quoted a Honduran man identified as Juan, who said he lived in the U.S. illegally for 26 years before being deported on Sept. 15 and plans to try to cross again. According to that account, he said he attempted to reenter twice but was turned back from Mexico and learned about the caravan online because his wife and two children are in the U.S.
Officials counter: Policy stands
“Crossing the U.S. southern border without authorization violates the law and can lead to arrest, detention, deportation, and a future ban on entry to the United States,” State Department representative Tommy Pigott said, per the source.
According to Voice of America, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that the elections will not change the Trump administration’s approach to border security: “Securing our nation’s borders is critically important to making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Countries along migratory routes must do their part to prevent and deter the transit of aliens seeking to illegally enter the United States.”
Texas politics enters the picture
Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin wrote on X that the elections, which he said gave Texas a Democratic governor, are expected to create a gap in Texas where state forces have long helped seal the border. That assessment is his, posted on X.
Other media and embassy claims
“Trump is on his way out in these elections. That’s why we’re taking the risk,” said Jimena Morazán, 47, according to the Tico Times.
A social media post from the U.S. Embassy in Honduras stated that migrant “caravans” do not arise spontaneously and are “meticulously organized through social media,” calling them a “massive and lucrative business, primarily for criminal organizations” during the previous administration. The post asserted that migrants are “pawns” who often face inhuman treatment, claimed the border became “THE SAFEST BORDER IN HISTORY” under @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, and said organizers “continue to organize caravans that HAVE NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER of entering our country.” These are claims from that embassy post.
