The Migrant Caravan in Mexico

Since the end of 2018, waves of migrant caravans traveling from Central America to the North of Mexico have made many headlines as the new “migration crisis,” rippled by instances of human rights violations at various borders. The realities faced by those who have joined the caravans are hidden by the political and economic warfare opposing Mexico to the current anti-immigrant U.S. administration. The pressure exerted on Mexico to control migration flows has trickled down to its residents, who have expressed mixed attitudes towards the heightened presence of Central American migrants in their local towns. As little research has given convincing conclusions to determine the cause of backlash against or support of migrants, this study investigates the factors behind a mixed attitude towards the caravans in Mexico. A survey conducted in Mexico City revealed that the most significant factor influencing attitudes towards the caravans is the tolerance people have towards U.S. migration and their own desires to migrate. This study sheds a light on potential solutions to the crisis by fostering a more positive perception of Central American migrants by channeling reliability factors between migrants and the local population.