50 members of migrant caravan that prompted threats from Trump reach U.S. border

A group of 50 Central American migrants who set out from southern Mexico in late March have reached the U.S. border, having endured the long journey despite threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to secure the border with National Guard personnel.

Since peaking at about 1,500 people, the so-called migrantcaravanhas dwindled under pressure from Trump and Mexicanmigration authorities, who vowed to separatemigrants witha right to stay in Mexico from those who did not.

Some migrants began arriving in the Mexican bordercity of Tijuana on Wednesday and have requested asylum in theUnited States.

"Since yesterday, some began to cross into the United Statesto turn themselves in from Tijuana and request asylum. Weunderstand more of [the migrants]will do the same," said JoseMaria Garcia, director of Juventud 2000, an organizationdedicated to assisting migrants.

He said more migrants, many of them stranded in Mexico'scentral states, are expected to arrive in the coming days.

"We will continue to receive them and it will be up to themif they stay in the country or leave," Garcia said.

Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are among the mostviolent and impoverished countries in the Americas, promptingmany people to leave in search of a better life.

Every year, thousands of migrants especially Central Americans venture to cross Mexico and reach the United States, often risking their lives along the way.