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About 300 Central Americans who traveled together to Tijuana, Mexico, is waiting to cross into the U.S. and seek asylum. After receiving legal advice, the migrants planned Sunday to turn themselves over to U.S. authorities at the San Ysidro border crossing.
The migrants, many from Central America and traveling with families, reached the border town on Tuesday and have been sleeping in tents and attending legal seminars given by volunteer attorneys.
The arrival marked the end of a monthlong journey by foot, freight train and bus. As the migrants prepared to cross Sunday, some supporters climbed the wall separating San Diego and Tijuana to sit or wave signs under the watchful eyes of U.S. Border Patrol agents.
President Donald Trump has called the caravan dangerous and tweeted last week that he has issued orders to "not to let these large Caravans of people into our Country." Trump and members of his Cabinet have been tracking the caravan, calling it a threat to the U.S. since it started March 25 in the Mexican city of Tapachula, near the Guatemala border. They have promised a stern, swift response.
Caravans like these are a common method to bring attention to asylum seekers. This one has garnered more attention because Trump used the caravan as a justification for the border wall.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the caravan "a deliberate attempt to undermine our laws and overwhelm our system" and said he may assign additional judges to handle cases involving the caravan. Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen warned that any person trying to cross into the U.S. who makes false claims will be subject to criminal prosecution.