Migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border are down. What’s behind the drop?
A recent decline in arrests for illegal crossings on the U.S. border with Mexico may prove only temporary. The drop in January reflects how the numbers ebb and flow, and the reason usually goes beyond any single factor.
After a record-breaking number of encounters at the southern border in December, crossings dropped by half in January, authorities reported Tuesday. The largest decrease seen was in the Del Rio sector encompassing Eagle Pass, Texas, the main focus of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent border enforcement efforts. Mexico also increased enforcement efforts during that time after talks with U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration.
Overall, arrests by Border Patrol dropped in January by 50% from 249,735 in December, the highest monthly tally on record. Tucson, Arizona, was again the busiest sector for illegal crossings with 50,565 arrests, down 37% from December, followed by San Diego. Arrests in the Border Patrol’s Del Rio sector, which includes the city of Eagle Pass, plummeted 76% from December to 16,712, the lowest since December 2021. Arrests in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley dropped 60% to 7,340, the lowest since July 2020.
A significant decrease was noted among Venezuelans whose arrests dropped by 91% to 4,422 from 46,920. But those numbers could change soon. Panama reported that 36,001 migrants traversed the dangerous Darien Gap in January, up 46% from December. The vast majority who cross the Panamanian jungle are Venezuelans headed to the United States, with considerable numbers from Haiti, China, Ecuador, and Colombia.
So, what is causing this recent decline in migrant crossings? One contributing factor is Mexico’s increased enforcement efforts. The country has been forcing migrants from freight trains that they sometimes use to cross into Mexico and it has been busing migrants to the southern border as well as flying some back to their home countries. This increased enforcement effort began after a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Mexico City on Dec. 28.
Meanwhile, in Texas, the National Guard has taken over a city-owned park along the border in Eagle Pass. Texas has denied U.S. agents access to Shelby Park since Jan. 10 and has installed additional security measures such as razor wire and anti-climbing fencing in the area. This has been done to remove certain pull factors that might encourage migrants to attempt crossing at that location.
Another factor that impacts migrant numbers is the weather. Generally, the number of people attempting to cross the border increases when the weather is warmer in the U.S. and decreases during the colder months. January, being a winter month, typically sees a decline in crossings.
Additionally, changes in immigration policies also play a role. Last year, the use of a public health policy known as Title 42 allowed both the Trump and Biden administrations to turn asylum-seekers back to Mexico, even if they were not from that country. This policy significantly reduced crossings until it expired. To maintain control over the situation, the Biden administration implemented a policy to deny asylum to individuals who travel through another country to reach the U.S., with few exceptions. However, the numbers eventually started climbing again and reached a record high in December.
While the recent decline in arrests at the US-Mexico border may seem promising, experts caution that the numbers can fluctuate rapidly. Various factors such as enforcement efforts, weather conditions, and immigration policies all contribute to the ebb and flow of migrant crossings. It remains to be seen whether this decline will be a sustained trend or a temporary reprieve.
Disclaimer: This news article is generated based on the provided details and does not reflect personal opinions, bias, or political stance.
