More Than 10,000 Central Americans Bound for USA Request Mexican Visas

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Mexico said Wednesday that more than 10,000 people have requested visas to cross its southern border as members of a rapidly growing U.S.-bound migrant caravan travel from Central America.

Analysts worry the new Mexican policy of welcoming migrants with visas as they apply for U.S. asylum could lead to an increase in migration and tensions with the Trump administration.

A nonpartisan immigrant research group said “If word gets out that people are able to get in legally that creates a huge incentive for people who hadn't thought of migrating.”

The latest caravan set out from Honduras on Jan. 15 with about 2,000 people.

But others soon joined the human flow as it began to reach the Mexican border, and its members were welcomed with the chance to apply for visas.

Corrie O'Connor