Central American migrants in Mexico ask for buses to border

MEXICO CITY — Central American migrants in a caravan that has stopped in Mexico City demanded buses Thursday to take them to the U.S. border, saying it is too cold and dangerous to continue walking and hitchhiking.

Mexico City authorities say that of the 4,841 registered migrants receiving shelter in a sports complex, 1,726 are under the age of 18, including 310 children under 5.

The Mexican govern- ment has said most of the migrants have refused offers to stay in Mexico, and only a small number have agreed to return to their home countries.

Mexico City is more than 600 miles from the nearest U.S. border crossing at McAllen, Texas. A caravan in the spring opted for a much longer route to the far northwest, across from San Diego. That caravan dwindled to about 200 people by the time it reached the border.