Mexico City - Mexico has started deporting 98 Central American
migrants who were detained after trying to force their way into the
United States through the Tijuana border, the National Institute of
Migration said on Monday.
Practically all of the deportees are Hondurans, Gerardo Garcia
Benavente from the institute told the media company Televisa.
An estimated 500 migrants tried to storm the border on Sunday. Police
in Tijuana were overwhelmed, and US security forces reportedly used
tear gas to turn the migrants back.
Mexican Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete said those storming the
border included "agitators" who would be deported.
About 7,400 migrants are waiting in the border cities of Tijuana and
Mexicali to enter the US, according to the Mexican authorities.
US President Donald Trump on Monday again vowed not to let the
migrants in.
"Mexico should move the flag waving Migrants, many of whom are stone
cold criminals, back to their countries. Do it by plane, do it by
bus, do it anyway you want, but they are NOT coming into the U.S.A.
We will close the Border permanently if need be. Congress, fund the
WALL!" he tweeted.
Mexico's president-elect, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who will be
sworn in on Saturday, refused to meet representatives of the migrant
caravan when it passed through Mexico City earlier this month.
He has, however, promised to provide visas that will allow Central
Americans to work in Mexico.