A caravan set to bring Americans opposing illegal immigration rallied near three points along the U.S.-Mexico border this Saturday. Organizers say the action will focus on peaceful protest and prayer.
However, critics of the caravan are concerned that the sharp political debate at the border and the large number of migrants crossing could fuel anti-immigrant sentiments.
The “Take Over the Border Back” caravan departed from Virginia this week and aims to organize events near Eagle Pass, Texas—a site of ongoing tensions between American states and federal officials over border security—as well as in Yuma, Arizona, and San Ysidro, California.
Two truck drivers leading the caravan—Vincent Saben from Massachusetts and Kip Coltrin from Louisiana—estimated that between 70 and 300 vehicles had participated by Thursday morning. Reuters could not independently confirm the figures.
The convoy hopes that more attention will be given to border security, as the number of migrants apprehended while illegally entering the United States has reached a record high under President Biden, who is facing calls for re-election in November by Democrats. Republican contenders, led by the late President Donald Trump, have advocated for tighter immigration regulations.