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As it happenedended

Migrant caravan: Asylum seekers travel through Mexico as Trump walks back suggestion that migrants throwing stones will be shot at border

Critics say the president is stoking fears about the caravan for political reasons ahead of midterm elections

Clark Mindock
New York
,Chris Riotta
Friday 02 November 2018 19:53 EDT
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What is the Migrant Caravan heading to the Mexico-US border?

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Thousands of refugees and migrants from Central America are walking and hitchhiking northwards through Mexico, with Donald Trump walking back his suggestion that any migrants found throwing stones at the US border could be shot by the military.

In addition to this original group, more than 1,000 migrants in a second caravan that forced its way across the river from Guatemala have begun arriving in the southern Mexico city of Tapachula.

President Trump made clear Thursday he will do everything in his power to stop them, dispatching extra troops, threatening to shut border entirely and saying in an afternoon press conference the military would consider rocks thrown at active troops "firearms". He later said that no migrants would be shot by the American military, but that anyone throwing rocks would be arrested.

The issue is being amplified by the president with less than a week before the midterm elections, and various sources have implied or stated without proof that Democrats and progressive donors are somehow funding the caravan that is composed of individuals and families fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries in Central America. Others, including Mr Trump, have claimed — again, without proof — that the caravan includes "Middle Easterners". The president also indicated that he has no proof that Middle Easterners are in the caravan.

While numerous news outlets and watchdog groups have tried and failed to find proof for those claims — and none has been provided — Republicans clearly see a winning strategy in trying to tie Democrats to the caravan.

In the contentious Texas Senate race, for example, Senator Ted Cruz has attacked his Democratic opponent, Congressman Beto O'Rourke, and claimed that his campaign has been funding the migrant caravan. That statement was not substantiated with evidence that any of that financial support has occurred.

To see how the day unfolded, follow our live blog below.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

Migrants hitch a ride in the back of a truck as a thousands-strong caravan of Central Americans hoping to reach the US border. 

Chris Riotta1 November 2018 20:20

Migrants hitch a ride on the back of a truck as a thousands-strong caravan of Central Americans hoping to reach the US border. 

Chris Riotta1 November 2018 20:40

A mother embraces her daughter as they wait for a ride on the side of the road along with other Central Americans, outside Juchitan, Oaxaca state, Mexico, 1 November 2018. 

Chris Riotta1 November 2018 21:00

A woman and three children wait for a ride on the roadside, as a thousands-strong caravan of Central Americans hoping to reach the U.S. border moves onward from Juchitan, Oaxaca state, Mexico, Thursday 1 November 2018. 

Chris Riotta1 November 2018 21:20

Donald Trump has held a press conference claiming the US military will consider rocks thrown at active troops as "firearms," though he stopped short of announcing a hard-line policy that would reportedly deny asylum for refugees arriving at the border who do not enter through a port of entry. 

Check out The Independent's live coverage of the announcement below.

Chris Riotta1 November 2018 21:40

That's all for today's coverage on updates surrounding the migrant caravans travelling towards the United States' southern border. Be sure to check back tomorrow as we keep you informed on the latest.

Chris Riotta1 November 2018 21:45

Welcome to today's coverage of the migrant caravan heading to the US border.

Lucy Anna Gray2 November 2018 13:10

The travelling caravan recently arrived in the Southern Mexico town of Matias Romero, according to The Associated Press.

After failing to get the bus transport they had been hoping for, the migrants were forced to trek 40 miles from Juchitan, Oaxaca. After nightfall, the group decided they would leave at 5 a.m. local time Friday toward the coastal state of Veracruz, with their destination either the town of Donaji or Sayula de Aleman. 

Lucy Anna Gray2 November 2018 13:20

With harsh conditions and scarce supplies, many of those in the migrant caravan are suffering with various illnesses. 

Around 2,000 people in the caravan are thought to be children, and the long treks is taking a toll on many of them. Rights groups travelling with the caravan say children are fainting and vomiting from dehydration and exhaustion. 

Lucy Anna Gray2 November 2018 13:31

This picture shows a child sleeping outside an abandoned motel as many of the migrant caravan stay there for the night. 

Credit: Spencer Platt / Getty 

Lucy Anna Gray2 November 2018 13:49

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