The recent election of Donald Trump as president has left many migrants rethinking their plans to travel to the United States. Daniel García, a Venezuelan delivery worker living in Bogotá, Colombia, had planned to embark on his journey north, but with Trump returning to office, he now feels the risks and costs might be too high. “It’s a huge investment,” García said, estimating the journey would cost him a year’s savings. Fearing he might be turned away at the border under the new administration, García has decided to stay in Colombia.
Trump’s stance on immigration is widely known, with promises to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history. This message has spread among migrant communities, causing many to reconsider whether now is the right time to pursue their dreams in America. In Mexico, humanitarian groups anticipate a potential surge in migration as people rush to the border before Trump’s inauguration, with advocates like Irineo Mujica of People Without Borders warning of a closing window for those seeking entry.
Smugglers have been quick to take advantage of this sense of urgency, urging migrants through social media to make the journey before restrictions tighten further. For many, the journey through Central America and Mexico can be grueling and dangerous, often taking months to reach the U.S. border. Migrants risk kidnappings, theft, and assaults along the way, with some even losing their lives to these hazards.
In Venezuela, however, some potential migrants, like Josefina Quintero, are choosing to stay. With family already in the United States, Quintero had considered applying for a legal entry program but has now abandoned the idea, fearing that Trump will end the program. “That dream is gone,” she shared, expressing her disappointment at missing the chance to reunite with her family in person.
Migration at the U.S. southern border has surged in recent years, with Venezuelans particularly motivated by deteriorating conditions in their homeland. Many have cited the belief that previous U.S. immigration policies under the Biden administration were more accommodating, encouraging them to attempt the journey. However, recent policy changes and expanded legal entry programs aim to curb the number of people seeking asylum at the U.S. border.
Despite these risks, some migrants remain determined. Javier Olivo from Ecuador, where violence linked to narcotrafficking has spiked, has already made plans to travel to the U.S. in May with his wife. He hopes for a better future, saying, “With God’s help, we hope things go well for us there.” For others, like Rosalba Magallón from Mexico, staying in their home country is no longer an option due to threats from criminal groups.
With Trump’s return, migrants on their journey face an uncertain future. Thousands are already en route, and more caravans are likely to form in the coming days. For many, the decision to migrate is driven by safety concerns and the hope for a better life, despite the obstacles they face along the way. As these groups travel northward, the U.S. border policies they encounter could significantly impact their chances of finding refuge.