NewsNation - Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have arrived in Mexico to hold talks with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador regarding mass migration on the southern border. The discussions come as a migrant caravan, consisting of approximately 6,000 individuals, makes its way towards the border. The group is primarily composed of migrants from Central America, Venezuela, and Cuba, with smaller numbers originating from Bangladesh and other countries.

Many members of the migrant caravan have been residing in Tapachula for several months, seeking legal documentation to transit through Mexico. Congressman Tony Gonzales, a Republican representing Eagle Pass and El Paso, acknowledged the administration's efforts in addressing the issue but expressed concerns that the caravans would persist. Gonzales believes that until these mass movements stop, the border crisis will continue to escalate.

The majority of migrants are entering the United States through Arizona's Tucson sector, with the Del Rio sector in Texas ranking second. President López Obrador of Mexico recently stated his willingness to collaborate with the U.S., while also calling on the Biden administration to ease sanctions imposed on Cuba and Venezuela. Approximately 20% of encountered migrants originate from Cuba and Venezuela, according to official reports.

Despite the upcoming meeting between Mayorkas, Blinken, and Obrador, Border Patrol agents and lawmakers anticipate that it will serve as a mere formality. They believe both parties will reaffirm their commitment to the Los Angeles Declaration of Migration and Protection, without effectively addressing the issue of mass migration. Former Secret Service agent Charles Marino expressed skepticism, stating that the policies of both countries are aligned towards open borders and the processing of as many migrants as possible.

Efforts to curtail mass migration and the challenges presented by migrant caravans along the southern border remain crucial topics of discussion. As the U.S. and Mexico engage in diplomatic talks, the situation on the ground demands concrete actions to address the ongoing border crisis.