CIUDAD HIDALGO, Mexico – The Mexican government tried on Saturday to resolve by means of a legal process the challenge of the Honduran migrant caravan that is waiting for the green light to enter the country over Mexico’s southern border and who, a few at a time, are crossing the Suchiate River on rafts.

After managing to stop and keep out a group from the caravan that tried this Friday to break into Mexico, Mexican authorities said they would willingly allow entry for those with the required documents and visas or, in this case, those applying for asylum.

In a message on national television that aired this Friday, President Enrique Peña Nieto said that “Mexico does not permit nor will it permit irregular entry,” much less for those who attempt to do so violently, but did offer help for those who wish to enter “respecting the laws.”

“Violent entry into our country” is an attack on the sovereignty of our country and also signifies a “risk for the migrants themselves, especially for children, women and the elderly,” the Mexican president said.

Some 2,000 migrants have already crossed the border into Mexico and are camping out while completing their migration procedures.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Honduran migrants decided this Saturday to wade and be pulled across the Suchiate River, which separates Guatemala from Mexico, in their eagerness to reach the United States.

Those people, hanging onto a rope, continued with the caravan through the water, EFE observed, due to their desperation at the way Mexican police have allowed only a few small groups into their territory.

Some 3,000 people slept Friday night on a bridge over the Suchiate, hoping to make it into Mexico this Saturday.