According to the Department of Homeland Security, the number of migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has been increasing steadily since the beginning of this month. To give a sense of the scale of this increase, earlier this month, 7,500 migrants were apprehended on just one day alone, according to representatives from Border Protection.
What Accounts For the Rise in Illegal Border Crossings?
A reason for the increase in those crossing the border illegally is that the Biden administration’s post pandemic policies are having less of an impact than they did in May 2023 when they were first implemented. These are the policies which make it harder for migrants to seek asylum at the U.S.- Mexico border and easier for them to legally enter the U.S. from their home countries. These changes, when first instituted, had seemed effective, given that prior to this policy change, daily apprehensions of illegal border crossings were even higher.
Which parts of the U.S.- Mexico Border Are Most Affected?
In recent days, the busiest areas have been the Rio Grande Valley (TX), Del Rio (TX), Tucson (AZ), and El Paso (TX), whose locations are seeing 1,000-1,800 apprehensions per day.
Areas like Del Rio tend to be more easily overwhelmed by sharp increases in migration because of their remoteness and the fact that they’re not supported by as many shelter facilities for migrants. Last week in Tucson and San Diego, Border Patrol began releasing migrants onto the streets to alleviate overcrowding in shelters.
In both the Rio Grande Valley and Tucson, the number of migrant children crossing with and without adults is on the rise. According to DHS officials, Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley saw an average of 150 unaccompanied children each day last week, an increase from a daily average of 94 in June, according to public data.
“We remain vigilant, and expect to see fluctuations, knowing that smugglers continue to use misinformation to prey on vulnerable individuals,” a Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said.
“CBP is working according to plan and as part of our standard processes to quickly decompress the areas along the southwest border, and safely and efficiently screen and process migrants to place them in immigration enforcement proceedings consistent with our laws.”
Speak To An Immigration Attorney Today
Many individuals and families coming to live in the U.S. face uncertainties in establishing their roots here. Work, family separation, and other concerns are extremely prevalent, but with the help of an immigration attorney, these issues can be addressed.
Reeves Immigration Law Group has proudly served migrant individuals and families for over 40 years. Our team of asylum attorneys regularly advises migrants and their families on immigration statuses and the benefits available to them to ensure the best possible outcome for their individual circumstances. Contact us today to connect with our team of immigration attorneys and let’s discuss how we can help you.
