Acknowledgements
Prologue
Michael J. Piore
Prologue
Silvia E. Giorguli Saucedo
Introduction
Mobility in Northern Central America
Migration Patterns
Expulsion Factors in Central America
Pull Factors in the United States
The Difficult Transit: A Case of Structural Violence
Migrant Viacrucis
Conclusions
Policies for the Control of Flows and the Protection of Migrants
Migration Policies: Control vs. Protection
The American “Wall” in Perspective
The Problem of American Asylum and its “Solution”
The Vertical Mexican Border
Refugee Status, Complementary Protection and Humanitarian Visitor Cards in Mexico
Conclusions
Migration Strategies in Transit for Central Americans
Choice of Routes and Means of Transport
Accompaniment
Unconventional Legal Documents and Channels
Relying on the Solidarity Network
Employing Oneself on the Road
Resorting to Coyotaje [migrant smuggling] Services
Conclusions
Protagonists of the Caravans at the End of 2018
Participation Figures
Vulnerable Profiles
Motivations for Mobility
Migrants? Refugees? Displaced?
Conclusions
Joining the Caravan and Taking the First Steps
The Genesis of the First Caravan and its Dissemination in the Media
A Unique Opportunity
Reducing Travel Costs
A More Familial Migration
Route and Transport from San Pedro Sula to Tecún Umán
In the Open and in Shelters
Conclusions
Traveling in Caravans through Mexico
Battling Borders
Route and Transport from Ciudad Hidalgo to Tijuana
Entries and Splits of Caravans in Mexico
Following the Caravans to Tijuana
Less Violence and Insecurity, more Solidarity and Protection
Conclusions
Alone in Front of the Wall
Welcome to Tijuana: Classism, Racism and Xenophobia
Migration Plans and their Changes
Applying for Asylum in the United States
Temporary Shelters, Humanitarian Visitor Cards and Refugee Status in Mexico
Going to “Another Border”
Stay in Mexico or Return?
Conclusions
Political Scope of the Passage of the Caravans
The Fading of the U.S. Asylum System
The Chimera of Free Transit
The Criminalization of Defenders
The Mexican-American Policy for Containment
The Dismantling of the Caravans
Applying for Refuge Status in Mexico, a Real Option?
Conclusions
Final Comments
Annex 1
Annex 2
Annex 3
References
About the Author