Mexico: Travelers from 177 nations crossed country to reach US

Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - Migrants queue near the border fence, after crossing the Rio Bravo river, to request asylum in El Paso, Texas as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. — Reuters pic

MEXICO CITY, June 17 — Around 1.39 million people from 177 countries travelled through Mexico so far this year trying to reach the United States without entry papers, the Mexican government said yesterday.

The vast majority were men or women traveling alone, while almost 3,000 were unaccompanied minors, the National Migration Institute said, providing figures for January through the end of May.

The figure of 177 countries of origin represents almost the whole world — the United Nations has 193 member states.

By country, the largest number of would-be migrants at nearly 380,000 came from Venezuela, which has endured severe economic hardship for years, followed by Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and Haiti, all of which are hard hit by gang and drug-trafficking violence.

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Others attempting the dangerous trek through Mexico in search of a better life in the United States came from as far afield as China, India, Mauritania and Angola, the institute said.In 2023 alone more than 2.4 million people crossed the US-Mexico border without the required documentation, according to US figures.

The flow hit a record of 10,000 people per day in December although it has fallen as both countries cracked down on such crossings. — AFP

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