New migrant caravan heads toward US as Trump return draws closer

Sources in Mexico tell NewsNation a caravan of migrants has just taken off from the city of Tapachula, with hundreds heading north to Chiapas, Mexico, on foot.

The majority of migrants are Venezuelan, sources say. The ultimate destination is reportedly Juarez, Mexico, located just miles from the border, and El Paso, Texas.

It's the 10th such caravan to form in the southern municipality since October.

According to Mexican immigration authorities, they expect even more of these caravans to form and depart in the coming days before President-elect Trump takes office.

Trump and his "border czar," Tom Homan, have promised to carry out mass deportations on a historical scale, decrying sanctuary cities and their leaders who plan to oppose such actions.

The chances of the caravan reaching the United States' southern border are slim to none as Mexican immigration authorities continue to step up their efforts to deter and block migrant groups from even reaching Mexico City.

Sources tell NewsNation authorities have dubbed this “Operation Carousel” and that they are breaking up migrant groups and negotiating with them to travel to other Mexican states.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has addressed the issue of deportations prior to Trump's second term, making a surprising reversal on previous policy promises.

Last month, Sheinbaum said Mexico would push the U.S. to send non-Mexican deportees to their countries of origin — now, she's announced that Mexico is open to accepting foreign nationals.

The stance shift comes as the Mexican government promises to open 25 new shelters to house deported migrants.

Immigration attorney Rolando Vazquez, who primarily represents Venezuelan nationals, said these shelters will lead to self-deporting from Mexico.

"These foreign nationals are going to find it more desirable to be in their home country than it is to be in Mexico, and they'll eventually go back to their home country," Vazquez said. "And that's what we've seen in the past in the last Trump administration when they implemented the [Migrant Protection] program."

Sources in Tijuana and Matamoros tell NewsNation they expect migrants to rush the border in the final days before Trump's inauguration, as they fear the CBP One app will end at that point.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.