Altagracia, a 39-year-old migrant from Honduras, is on a desperate journey to reach the US-Mexico border before Donald Trump's inauguration. Her goal is to claim asylum and reunite with her children already living in the United States. The urgency of her mission reflects a broader anxiety among migrants worried about Trump's impending presidency and his hardline stance on immigration.
Migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border have reached their lowest levels since 2020, according to data from US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Despite this decline, Altagracia's story highlights the personal stakes for many migrants. Forced to flee her hometown in Honduras last October after local gangs killed several family members and threatened her life, Altagracia embarked on a perilous journey northward.
Tensions surrounding US-Mexico relations have intensified, with Trump threatening a 25% tariff on all Mexican products if Mexico doesn't take decisive action against illegal immigration and cross-border drug crimes. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by asserting that Mexico was already doing enough by assisting migrant caravans within its borders. Meanwhile, arrests and weapons seizures have increased since Sheinbaum assumed office, and Mexico conducted its largest fentanyl bust, seizing over a ton of the synthetic opioid in Sinaloa.
Altagracia is not alone in her concerns about Trump's presidency. Many migrants fear his rhetoric about mass deportations and sealing the border. Adriana Robles, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, expressed hope that Trump's actions would be fair, saying, “Sometimes information isn’t true, it’s distorted … I believe in God and I have faith that he [Trump] will make the right decision and help the good people with dreams.” Another migrant from Cuba voiced the urgency felt by many: "Everyone wants to arrive before [Trump] does."
Altagracia has heard rumors that Trump plans to close the border immediately upon taking office. Her anxiety is compounded by the fact that she and other migrants have been robbed by cartels during their journey, leaving them dependent on activists, shelters, and good Samaritans for survival. Despite these challenges, Altagracia remains determined to seek asylum in the US, stating, “We’ve been told that when Trump starts, he won’t let us in.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attorney Lee Gelernt argues against outsourcing America's responsibility to protect those fleeing danger without proper screening. He suggests that migrant flows are more influenced by conditions in home countries than US policy. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a professor at George Mason University, believes Trump's threats might delay migrants' decisions but won't stop them from attempting to reach the US.
As Altagracia continues her journey through Mexico, she is joined by migrants like Adriana Robles who hope for understanding from Trump's administration. Robles believes that many migrants possess skills and degrees that could benefit the US economy. She remarked, “I hope Trump understands that many of us have degrees” that could contribute positively to American society.
Despite these aspirations, uncertainty looms large. A Venezuelan migrant shared their fears: “I’ve heard Trump is closing the border on day one and will carry out deportations, it worries me, but I am more afraid to stay in my country.” The sense of urgency among migrants is palpable as they walk for hours to avoid the heat. As one Cuban migrant put it succinctly: "I hope I make it in time."
The situation at the US-Mexico border remains tense as November recorded around 46,000 border encounters—the lowest number in nearly five years. However, for migrants like Altagracia, these statistics do little to alleviate their personal fears or lessen their resolve.
