Approximately eight migrants from Central America who crossed Mexico in a caravan were granted access to the U.S. on Monday for processing of their asylum claims, according to multiple reports.
Caravan organizers told The Associated Press that the migrants were allowed to continue into the U.S. while about 140 others wait at the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego.
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“The spirits are high; there was good news for everybody,” said Alex Mensing, the caravan’s organizer and a member of Pueblo Sin Fronteras.
The caravan was stopped by U.S. and Mexican officials at an inspection site on Sunday after weeks of travel.
President Trump has attacked it and other similar efforts on Twitter, indicating that he has directed Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to deny the migrants access.
“Despite the Democrat inspired laws on Sanctuary Cities and the Border being so bad and one sided, I have instructed the Secretary of Homeland Security not to let these large Caravans of people into our Country. It is a disgrace,” he tweeted. “We are the only Country in the World so naive!”
Nielsen said last Thursday that U.S. authorities are prepared to prosecute members of the caravan who may seek to enter the country illegally.
“Let me be clear: We will enforce the immigration laws as set forth by Congress,” Nielsen said.
“If you enter our country illegally, you have broken the law and will be referred for prosecution. If you make a false immigration claim, you have broken the law and will be referred for prosecution. If you assist or coach an individual in making a false immigration claim, you have broken the law and will be referred for prosecution.”
The group is currently camped out while awaiting room at the San Ysidro crossing for more asylum applicants, according to officials. The crossing can accommodate about 300 asylum-seekers at its temporary holding facility, which was already at capacity when the caravan arrived.
“As in the past when we’ve had to limit the number of people we can bring in for processing at a given time, we expect that this will be a temporary situation,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials told the AP.