\'Get out\': Violence erupts as migrants arrive in Tijuana

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) Demonized by U.S. President Donald Trump and exhausted after a harrowing journey, migrants from Central America in a caravan now face a new threat: open hostility from some Mexicans.

A small group of residents of an upscale neighbourhood in the Mexican border of Tijuana confronted caravan migrants late on Wednesday (November 14), throwing stones and telling them to go back to their home countries.

"Get out of here," around 20 people shouted at a camp of Hondurans near the border.

"We want you to return to your country.

You are not welcome." Migrants shouted back and dozens of police officers had to intervene to keep peace in a city known for welcoming both American tourists and thousands of immigrants every year.

A caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants who are fleeing violence and poverty at home set off for the United States in mid-October, with the bulk of them still to arrive at the border.

Other large bands of mostly Salvadorans have followed.

Trump has declared the caravans an "invasion," and has sent some 5,800 troops to "harden" the border, including with barbed wire.

With some exceptions, Mexico has welcomed the Central Americans, offering food and lodging in towns during their journey.

The migrants said they were stunned by the hostile attitude in Tijuana.

Recent polls show a sizeable minority of Mexicans opposed to aiding the migrants as they head northward to the United States.

A popular party town for U.S. tourists, Tijuana has a history of absorbing visitors, including Chinese immigrants in the 19th century.

It has a large American population and some 3,000 Haitians settled in the city, just south of San Diego, in 2016 after failing to cross the U.S. border.

But the arrival of hundreds of members of the caravans has stretched to the limit migrant shelters that were already overflowing with people.

While Tijuana's traditional generosity was also on display, with the government setting up a new shelter and citizens offering food and clothing, a harder attitude also emerged.