Beginning in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, in October 2018, a small group of 160 migrants fleeing violence and poverty sparked a mass movement now recognized as part of the “Central American Exodus.” Within days, thousands from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala joined the caravan, swelling its numbers to over 7,000 as it pushed through Guatemala and Mexico. This extraordinary migration—unprecedented in size and visibility—garnered global attention and inspired widespread solidarity among Mexican communities along the route, who welcomed the travelers with food, shelter, and moral support. The caravan symbolized both desperation and resilience, a collective act of survival forged by hope.

But as the caravan approached the U.S. border in Tijuana, the journey’s spirit collided with harsh political and physical realities. American authorities militarized the border, while conditions at the improvised camps rapidly deteriorated into crisis. Faced with overcrowding, disease, and a cold reception from local officials, the once-unified caravan fractured. Some migrants were relocated, others stayed near the border in makeshift shelters, and still more faded into the city or risked everything to cross.