Caravanas in Tijuana: A Qualitative Account of Women in the 2018 Central American Migrant Caravans

Abstract

Social conditions force migrants to pursue mass mobilization and transit through Latin America to the Mexico-United States border. Mainstream media continues to sensationalize the migrant caravans. Research concerning the experiences of individuals in caravans remains underdeveloped. A question remains about how women experience transit in a mass caravan migration. This study uses a migrant feminist standpoint to capture women's perspectives within the 2018 Central American migrant caravans. In 2019, a qualitative analysis of 15 semi-structured interviews with migrant participants primarily from Central America and fieldwork observation was conducted in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Caravans provide a realistic alternative avenue for migration. Migration is a gendered process where women resist state violence. Reaching the Tijuana border is a success, but it comes at a detrimental cost for women, including experiencing deception, social class inequalities, and distrust. Humanitarian responses to the migrant caravans benefit from adopting a gender-conscious action-based practice.