Nearly 160 asylum seekers have arrived in the U.S. from Central America
Nearly 160 members of the Central American caravan have entered the United States, organizers said Thursday morning.
About 70 immigrants, the largest single group so far, walked into the United States to claim asylum about 9 a.m., said organizer Gina Garibo.
When Garibo announced the news to the immigrants sleeping in a tent city a few feet from the U.S. border, they chanted: “Si, se pudo,” “Yes, we could.”
As of Wednesday night, 88 immigrants had crossed into the United States to claim asylum. Thursday morning’s group brought the total to 158.
“We are very happy today,” said Biron Hernandez, 27, of Honduras, who has been with the caravan since the Guatemala-Mexico border.
Hernandez expected the rest of the asylum-seeking caravan to enter the United States by Friday.
Organizers say there are about 70 Central Americans left waiting to claim asylum. But that number could change because organizers need to figure out exactly how many people plan to claim asylum in the United States and how many have chosen to stay in Mexico.
The caravan arrived in Tijuana on Sunday. About 150 slept on the ground in the tent city while 75 slept in migrant shelters, for an estimated total of 225, Garibo said.
gustavo.solis@sduniontribune.com
Solis writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
