The U.S authorities have constructed a new barrier at one of the busiest crossing points along the US-Mexico border. It will close down the busy crossing point following protests provoked by the contentious migrant caravan. The local media reported that the fence was constructed just a day after more than 400 Tijuana residents waved flags and chanted “Out, Out” in protest at the refugees and migrants who arrived in the border town last week.
The U.S authorities have closed one of two pedestrian bridges on the San Ysidro crossing. They believe that it would slow any rush from those in the migrant caravan hoping to make their way north. The entry point was closed for several hours, adding headaches in the area where 110,000 people cross every day in 40,000 vehicles. Last week, more than 3,000 migrants have arrived in Tijuana. The U.S authorities said that as many as 10,000 may end up in the border city. The migrants have been on the road for at least a week at this point. These migrants were flown due to violent conditions in their home countries in Central America.
The caravan has been politicized in the United States. The U.S President Donald Trump attempted to capitalize on fear of the migrants during the run-up to the 2018 midterm elections. Trump has claimed in the process that the caravan includes middle-eastern individuals. He also said that there are violent individuals in the caravan group, but he made those claims without evidence. The U.S President Trump has ordered American troops to the US-Mexico border. The U.S military has been seen installing razor wire barriers to keep migrants from flooding into the United States.