Mexico deploys 8,700 soldiers at borders

Mexico City, March 23 Mexico has deployed more than 8,700 soldiers along its borders to combat illegal migration to the US amid a surge in the number of crossings, Defence Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval said here.

The soldiers and members of the National Guard are deployed at 347 checkpoints along popular migration routes, dpa news agency quoted Sandoval as saying.

After an increase in the number of mostly Central American migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, the Mexican government announced stricter migration controls last week.

Land borders have also been shut for non-essential travel to prevent the spread of infection amid the pandemic.

Under pressure from former US President Donald Trump, Mexico had already deployed soldiers to prevent migrants from crossing the border to the US since June 2019.

Thousands of migrants came to the border after the victory of President Joe Biden, who promised a more humane immigration policy.

Most are fleeing poverty, violence and the aftermath of two devastating hurricanes in Central America.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said the government is expecting a significant increase in the number of refugees and migrants, possibly more people than in the past 20 years.

Just over 14,000 unaccompanied minor migrants and refugees are currently in the custody of US authorities, officials said.

( With inputs from IANS )