In a surprising turn of events, the number of migrants attempting to cross the southwest U.S. border has plummeted to its lowest point since President Biden took office. Border Patrol is currently intercepting just over 3,000 migrants daily, a stark contrast to the more than 10,000 daily interceptions recorded merely three weeks ago. This decline defies widespread predictions of a surge following the cessation of the Title 42 Covid ban on May 11. Several factors have converged to contribute to this unexpected decrease in migrant crossings.
Reinstating Consequences
The end of Title 42 has also seen the reintroduction of stringent consequences for illegal border crossings. Under the newly reimposed Title 8 regulation, migrants who are deported and then caught attempting to re-enter the U.S. within five years face felony charges. Customs and Border Protection officials believe that the increased penalties and risk of deportation — the “consequences” — have deterred migrants from attempting to cross.
Technology Aids Asylum Seekers
Firstly, there has been a notable uptick in the use of the CBP One App, a mobile application that allows migrants to book appointments at U.S. ports of entry to seek asylum. Shelter operators in Tijuana report that migrants are increasingly turning to this technological solution, which has likely contributed to the reduction in illegal crossings.
Weather Woes
The weather has also played a role in the declining numbers. A Colombian official noted that fewer migrants have been crossing from Colombia into Panama along the perilous Darien Gap in recent weeks due to the rainy season, which has rendered the journey even more treacherous.
New Asylum Restrictions
Lastly, the Department of Homeland Security has implemented a policy known as asylum ineligibility following the end of Title 42. This policy stipulates those migrants who do not first seek asylum in countries they pass through in route to the U.S. are deemed ineligible to apply for asylum at the U.S. border. There are exceptions for those denied asylum by a country they passed through or those who can prove they meet a special set of criteria, such as potential victims of torture if deported.
However, the American Civil Liberties Union has challenged the asylum ineligibility policy, with a hearing set for July 19. If the judge blocks the policy, the Biden administration may face an increase in migrants attempting to cross illegally to claim asylum.
As the situation continues to evolve, the administration, migrants, and advocates alike will be closely watching the outcome of the court hearing and its potential impact on future migration patterns.