Around 500 Central American migrants jump onto the roof of a freight train to flee Mexico and head towards the US border to seek a 'better life'

  • Migrants are from the remnants of a caravan Donald Trump had tweeted about 
  • They jumped onto the roofs of freight cars as they left Guadalajara to head north
  • The caravan organiser said that they are hoping to reach US border by April 24
  • Another group of 50, from the same caravan, reached the US border on April 19 

Around 500 Central American migrants jumped onto the roof of a freight train on Thursday and made their way towards the US border to seek a 'better life'.

The migrants are from the remnants of a caravan that has previously drawn the ire of Donald Trump, left Guadalajara, west Mexico before dawn and travelled north.  

They could be seen stretching out on the roofs of freight cars as they made for the US border, which they hope to reach by April 24. 

Central American migrants pictured moving in a caravan through Mexico, as they travel in an open wagon of a freight train

Central American migrants pictured moving in a caravan through Mexico, as they travel in an open wagon of a freight train

They had jumped onto the freight train and climbed inside in a bid to reach the US border in the north of Mexico

They had jumped onto the freight train and climbed inside in a bid to reach the US border in the north of Mexico

One of the migrants is Honduran Mirna Ruiz. He said: 'We are heading north seeking a better life.'

'As you know, in Honduras we just can't live there anymore because of the gangs. We can't even go shopping because we are afraid. 

'We are also worried that our children will be recruited by the gangs. Those are the fears in our country.'

A group of 500 jumped onto a freight train in Guadalajara on April 19, though more groups from the caravan, including the one pictured, left earlier

A group of 500 jumped onto a freight train in Guadalajara on April 19, though more groups from the caravan, including the one pictured, left earlier

Caravan organizer Irineo Mujica explained that the migrants expected to reach the Pacific coast city of Mazatlan, then go to the northern city of Hermosillo, where they might make a rest stop sometime over the weekend. 

They would then continue to the US border, where they hope to arrive by April 24, he said.

A group of 50 Central American migrants from the same caravan, who set out from southern Mexico in late March, reached the US border on April 19.

This photo shows migrants travelling through Mexico to the US border while clutching onto the wagon on April 17

This photo shows migrants travelling through Mexico to the US border while clutching onto the wagon on April 17

Central American migrants who attended the annual Migrants Stations of the Cross caravan for migrants' rights, wait for a northern-bound train, in Guadalajara

Central American migrants who attended the annual Migrants Stations of the Cross caravan for migrants' rights, wait for a northern-bound train, in Guadalajara

They endured the long journey despite threats by President Donald Trump to secure the border with National Guard personnel.

Since peaking at around 1,500 people, the so-called migrant 'caravan' has dwindled under pressure from Trump and Mexican migration authorities, who vowed to separate those migrants with a right to stay in Mexico from those who did not.

Some of those migrants began arriving in the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Wednesday and have requested asylum in the United States.

The caravan numbered 1,500 people at its peak but has broken down since with several groups forming and travelling to the border

The caravan numbered 1,500 people at its peak but has broken down since with several groups forming and travelling to the border

A small girl pictured as she travels north to Mazatlan, Mexico, on her way to the US border

A small girl pictured as she travels north to Mazatlan, Mexico, on her way to the US border

'Since yesterday, some began to cross into the United States to turn themselves in from Tijuana and request asylum. We understand more of (the migrants) will do the same,' said Jose Maria Garcia, director of Juventud 2000, an organization dedicated to assisting migrants.

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

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

A group of 50 Central American migrants from the same caravan set out from southern Mexico in late March and reached the US border on April 19

A group of 50 Central American migrants from the same caravan set out from southern Mexico in late March and reached the US border on April 19

Most of the migrants come from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, which are among the most violent and impoverished countries in the Americas

Most of the migrants come from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, which are among the most violent and impoverished countries in the Americas

Of the larger group that set out on Thursday, organiser Mujica said a couple of hundred migrants were expected to turn themselves over to US authorities at the border and request asylum, arguing that it was too dangerous for them to stay in Honduras, where most are from.

The caravan left the Guatemala-Mexico border in late March and grew to more than 1,000 migrants who found safety travelling in numbers. 

It was to have formally ended in Mexico City, but many of the migrants feared going solo on the dangerous final leg north and decided to keep travelling together. 

Central American migrants who attended the annual Migrants Stations of the Cross caravan for migrants' rights, rest at a shelter in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco state, Mexico

Central American migrants who attended the annual Migrants Stations of the Cross caravan for migrants' rights, rest at a shelter in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco state, Mexico

The remnants of the migrant caravan that drew the ire of President Donald Trump were continuing their journey north through Mexico toward the US border

The remnants of the migrant caravan that drew the ire of President Donald Trump were continuing their journey north through Mexico toward the US border

Some who had split off to press on alone reported back about kidnappings and having their papers for safe passage torn up.

Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are among the most violent and impoverished countries in the Americas, prompting many 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. 

Central American migrants, mostly from Honduras, jumped onto the roof of a freight train to head north from Guadalajara

Central American migrants, mostly from Honduras, jumped onto the roof of a freight train to head north from Guadalajara

Mexico's National Immigration Institute said its agents found a total of 191 mostly Central American migrants jammed into a truck and a bus in southern and central Mexico.

The institute said 103 migrants were found packed into a truck in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz. 

They had gone two days without food or water. All but two are from Guatemala, and 55 are minors.

Agents also found 88 migrants crowded into a bus that had seating for only 42 people in the north-central state of Hidalgo. 

Eighty are from Guatemala, among them are 45 minors accompanied by relatives.

Honduran family Nolvia Luja, left, Willian Bonilla, and their son Wilmer Bonilla, who attended  rest at a shelter in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco state, Mexico

Honduran family Nolvia Luja, left, Willian Bonilla, and their son Wilmer Bonilla, who attended rest at a shelter in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco state, Mexico