'There isn't capacity': Mexican shelters struggle as migrants head north again

Shelters have less capacity or remain closed by health authorities as some migrants hope for friendlier reception from US

In the first Mexican shelter reached by migrants after trekking through the Guatemalan jungle, about 150 migrants are sleeping in its dormitories and another 150 lie on thin mattresses spread across the floor of its chapel.

Only six weeks into the year, the shelter known as The 72" has hosted nearly 1,500 migrants, compared to 3,000 all of last year. It has halved its dormitory space due to the pandemic. That wasn't a problem last year because few migrants arrived, but this year it's been overwhelmed.