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Several hundred people gathered in Tijuana over the weekend shouting “Mexico First” in a declaration against the incoming migrant caravan.
In a high-end section of Tijuana, known as the Rio area, hundreds of Mexican nationals marched together in a protest against the influx of migrants from Central American countries.
The marchers carried signs with slogans such as “No Illegals,” “No To The Invasion,” and “Mexico First.”
The Mexican demonstrators shouted chants such as “Ti-jua-na,” “Mexico first” and “Me-xi-co,” as well as, singing the country’s national anthem.
While not all of the migrants have come to Tijuana specifically, a great many have. Tijuana also borders the US city of San Diego. Thus, many of the migrants have come to Tijuana in order to request asylum in the United States.
The majority of the migrants have come from Honduras, while some are from other Central American countries.
The migrants claim they need asylum after having received threats from gangs and government figures in their country, and can no longer return home safely.
Many of the Mexican protesters say that the immigrants have entered their country illegally, “like animals,” and should have entered the country under correct procedures.
Many of the protesters stated that the migrants should be detained and deported, NPR reported.
Last week, Tijuana’s Mayor Juan Manuel Gastélum made comments that could have partially helped feed the furor over the migrants.
“I would dare say that not all of them are migrants,” Gastélum during a television interview. “Sure, there are some good people in the caravan, but many are very bad for the city.”
“Human rights are for only upstanding humans,” Gastélum added.
However, there are many who are in support of the migrants. They feel that all migrants should be welcomed in Mexico.
Mexican police set up barricades to protect migrants, blocking protesters from entering shelters that had been set up for the migrants.
