Mystery Men Hand Cash to Migrant Caravan Refugees as Number Swells to 7000
Video shows men handing money to immigrants as army of refugees head for the US border
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Following dramatic scenes over the weekend, as the 4000-strong migrant caravan stormed the Guatemala-Mexico border, a video has emerged of mystery men handing money to refugees, as the number of immigrants swells to a massive 7000 and the herd makes its way through Mexico, pushing toward the US border.
After tearing down the border fence on Friday, a reported 2000 migrants made it through into Mexico after overwhelming Mexican law enforcement.
The caravan reportedly re-grouped in Mexico on Saturday as other migrants flooded into the country, with numbers growing to around 5000.
The Central American immigrants rose at dawn on Sunday and continued their trek, advancing toward the United States Southern Border in Northern Mexico, with numbers now reaching 7,000 people.
Several hundred asylum seekers applied for refugee status in Mexico, while an estimated 1,500 remain on the Guatemalan side of the Suchiate River, hoping to enter Mexico legally, according to reports.
Authorities in Mexico are unable to explain how the size of the caravan has expanded so rapidly after they landed on Mexican soil.
Suspicions are now mounting that the army of immigrants is being externally funded after a video surfaced showing two men handing migrants money as they applauded and said: "thank you!"
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According to AP, it's not immediately clear where the additional travelers had materialized from since about 2,000 had been gathered on the Mexican side on Saturday before growing to 7000 by Sunday morning.
They seemed likely to be people who had been waiting in the Guatemalan town of Tecun Uman and who decided to cross during the night.
They marched on through Mexico like a ragtag army of the poor, shouting triumphantly slogans like “Si se pudo!” or “Yes, we could!”
As they passed through Mexican villages on the outskirts of Ciudad Hidalgo, they drew applause, cheers, and donations of food and clothing from Mexicans.
Maria Teresa Orellana, a resident of the neighborhood of Lorenzo handed out free sandals to the migrants as they passed.
“It’s solidarity,” she said. “They’re our brothers.”
According to Zero Hedge, the group has been referred to as an "attack caravan" by former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who cited a figure by Fox News host Laura Ingraham that the caravan would cost around $7,000 per person, or $28 million total when the size of the group was estimated at 4,000 people.
At 7,000 strong, the caravan would cost $49 million.
If the new reports are correct the “attack caravan” from Central America is up to 4,000 people. If Laura Ingraham’s estimate is right and it costs about $7,000 per person where is the $28 million coming from. This is $28 million to attack American sovereignty.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) October 19, 2018
Meanwhile, two men in white t-shirts were seen handing out what appears to be cash to the migrants last week, fueling speculation that the second such group this year has been professionally organized and funded.
Mystery men caught handing cash to immigrants in the #MigrantCaravan on route to the #USA ahead of the #Midterms2018.
— Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) October 22, 2018
Who is funding this? pic.twitter.com/SYoPOLoPep
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The migrant caravan regrouped after Mexican authorities refused mass entry via a bridge over the Suchiate River - instead, allowing small groups of migrants to enter for asylum processing while giving 45-day visitor permits to others.
That said, many of the migrants found ways to circumvent the Mexican government despite the deployment of hundreds of riot police upon President Trump's request.
But, according to AP, many became impatient and circumventing the border gate, crossing the river on rafts, by swimming or by wading in full view of the hundreds of Mexican police manning the blockade on the bridge.
Some paid locals the equivalent of $1.25 to ferry them across the muddy waters.
They were not detained on reaching the Mexican bank.
Sairy Bueso, a 24-year old Honduran mother of two, was another migrant who abandoned the bridge and crossed into Mexico via the river.
She clutched her 2-year-old daughter Dayani, who had recently had a heart operation, as she got off a raft.
“The girl suffered greatly because of all the people crowded” on the bridge, Bueso said.
“There are risks that we must take for the good of our children.”
WATCH: Mexican police given stand-down order. Caravan allowed to pass through. pic.twitter.com/ftdcdagnxE
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 21, 2018
The Mexican Interior Department reported the receipt of 640 refugee requests by Hondurans at the border.
Federal police monitored the Caravan on Sunday via helicopter, while approximately 500 officers briefly shadowed the group on the highway - however according to AP, officers say that their instructions were to allow the caravan to continue while maintaining traffic.
Trump isn't having it
President Trump reiterated his commitment to deploying the US military if the caravan isn't stopped.
At a Friday rally in Scottsdale, Arizona, he said: "But as of this moment, I thank Mexico. If that doesn’t work out, we’re calling up the military — not the Guard."
Trump reiterated his statements to reporters:
President Trump: "You have some very, very bad people in the caravan. You have some very tough criminal elements within the caravan. But I will seal off the border before they come into this country, and I'll bring out our military." https://t.co/SJoYwvF4mt pic.twitter.com/9TRUjfpmyr
— The Hill (@thehill) October 21, 2018
On Sunday, Trump tweeted:
"Full efforts are being made to stop the onslaught of illegal aliens from crossing our Souther Border. People have to apply for asylum in Mexico first, and if they fail to do that, the U.S. will turn them away. The courts are asking the U.S. to do things that are not doable!"
Full efforts are being made to stop the onslaught of illegal aliens from crossing our Souther Border. People have to apply for asylum in Mexico first, and if they fail to do that, the U.S. will turn them away. The courts are asking the U.S. to do things that are not doable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 21, 2018
The Caravans are a disgrace to the Democrat Party. Change the immigration laws NOW!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 21, 2018
On Saturday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Hauert said:
"The Mexican Government is fully engaged in finding a solution that encourages safe, secure, and orderly migration," adding:
"Both the United States and Mexico continue to work with Central American governments to address the economic, security, and governance drivers of illegal immigration."
