New migrant group sets out for US from El Salvador

SAN SALVADOR: Defying US pledges to turn back those seeking asylum at the border, a caravan of about 200 migrants set out Sunday from El Salvador seeking their American dream.

The group — separate from the larger one of Central American migrants that began its journey last month — gathered in a square in the west of the capital.

They then headed out together by bus to Sonsonate, citing gang violence and desperate poverty as their reasons.

From there, the migrants — including many families with children, decked out in warm clothes and backpacks — said they would travel to Guatemala by bus, and on to the United States.

They know it won’t be easy without a US visa.

“The truth is, I don’t have much choice. I don’t want to leave but what am I going to do here, alone with two children. No help from anyone at all. And the gangs are threatening us. So we had better get out,” said Cecilia Bonilla, 36, with her boys Steven, five, and Daniel, 13. — AFP