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Encounters -

While the precise numbers are unclear, US border officials record what they call 'encounters' with migrants. This category consists of those who attempt to enter the country illegally and those who attempt to enter the country legally but are denied entry.

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More than 10 million encounters -

Since 2021, US border patrol authorities have reported more than 10 million encounters, of which eight million alone have occurred on the southwest land border that the US shares with Mexico.

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Around 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US -

The US Department of Homeland Security reports that, as of 2022, there were approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the US, with only 20% arriving since 2010.

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Caravan of 3,000 migrants -

On November 5, a caravan of approximately 3,000 migrants began their trek from southern Mexico toward the United States border.

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Public health policy used to turn people away -

Between 2020-2023, both the Joe Biden administration and that of his predecessor, Donald Trump, used a public health measure tied to COVID-19 as a method to turn migrants away at the Mexico border, a policy which affected nearly three million people.

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Political instability -

Despite harsh policies, the US border patrol continued to report record numbers of encounters along the US-Mexico border. Political analysts argue that the socio-economic and political instability in certain countries, such as Venezuela, have caused this surge.

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"We are people who want to work" -

The group of 3,000 migrants moved north toward the US border to seek better economic opportunities. According to U.S. News & World Report, a Honduran migrant traveling north with his pregnant wife and two children shared, "We want US authorities to see us, to see that we are people who want to work, not to harm anyone."

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Travel in groups for safety -

Over the course of the last several years, many caravans with hopeful migrants seeking to enter the United States have made their trek toward the US border in mass groups due to issues of safety.

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Cartel violence and extortion -

Migrants crossing through Mexico face great risks in their journey toward the US border, many encountering grave dangers, such as cartel violence, or facing extortion from local police and immigration authorities.

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Mass kidnappings -

According to ProPublica, cartels have also developed an "industrial-size extortion racket," consisting of the mass kidnapping of migrants for profit, particularly along the border between Mexico and Guatemala.

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Tapachula -

The current caravan is making its way through Tapachula, located in the Chiapas state, which is an unavoidable crossing point for tens of thousands of migrants.

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Migrants targeted -

Tapachula is considered one of Mexico's most violent cities. As the area is unavoidable for many migrants making their way towards the US border, organized crime networks frequently target vulnerable migrants.

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At least 9,000 people missing or dead -

According to the Missing Migrants Project, since 2014 at least 9,000 people attempting to cross into the US from southern countries have been recorded missing or dead.

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Drowning on the Rio Grande -

Many deaths occur in attempts to cross the Rio Grande, where drownings are frequently reported.

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Exposure to the elements -

Exposure to the elements, including extreme temperatures resulting in dehydration, are also common causes of death for migrants making the long journey to the US.

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Unclear circumstances -

For survivors, depending on their circumstances, what will happen on the border is unclear. Some will be apprehended, facing immediate and expedited deportation. Others will face formal proceedings, perhaps qualifying for temporary release, provided with a subsequent date to appear before a judge.

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Biden's executive order -

In June 2024, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to further streamline migration deportations at the border by allowing for migrants to be deported without having their asylum cases processed.

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Weekly threshold -

Biden's executive order established a weekly threshold of approximately 2,500 for border agent encounters. After hitting that threshold, permission to deny the processing of asylum claims came into effect.

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Encounters fell by one-fifth -

Biden's executive order, in conjunction with efforts by Mexican authorities to establish more checkpoints and patrols along the border, meant that by July 2024 encounters at the US-Mexico border dropped by one-fifth.

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Fears of dangers for migrants -

Critics of Biden's executive order described the policy as "draconian," arguing it violates both domestic and international law, as denying the processing of asylum claims based on an arbitrary quota means risking that people with viable asylum claims will be placed in danger if deported.

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Driving more dangerous crossings -

The ability to seek asylum is a right under both domestic and international law, regardless of how many people enter the US. Instead of deterring illegal migration, critics argue that the executive order merely drives migrants to more dangerous crossings to avoid authorities.

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From 3,000 to 1,600 migrants -

November's caravan dwindled from 3,000 to 1,600 migrants following the reelection of Donald Trump, which led many migrants to believe their chance of entering the US will be less likely. 

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Promises for large-scale deportations -

Throughout Trump's presidential campaign, the former US president had reiterated his promise to conduct large-scale deportations, including further streamlining processes at the US-Mexico border to allow for quicker deportations.

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Request to return -

Following Trump's reelection, over 100 people who were part of the initial caravan asked Mexican authorities for assistance to return to Tapachula.

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Significant changes for US policy ahead -

Trump proposes significant changes to US immigration policies, including denying birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

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Blanket tax -

Trump has also warned Mexico that if border encounters are not significantly reduced with the assistance of Mexican authorities, that his administration would impose a blanket tariff of 25% on all products from Mexico, which would be economically devastating for the country.

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"We are humans" -

"I wish Mr. Trump... would see that we are human beings, that we want to live and support our families," said a young Venezuelan migrant who is part of the caravan, attempting to make the journey with her husband and three-year-old child.

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Stranded migrants -

Between 2017 and 2021, the Trump administration's immigration policies left hundreds of thousands of migrants stranded along the US-Mexico border.

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Migrants will face more risks -

Human rights advocates argue that given the perilous conditions that many people are facing around the world due to socio-economic despair and political violence, migrants will continue to come to the US, whether documented or not. With more aggressive immigration policies, migrants will likely be forced to take more dangerous paths and face greater risks.

Sources: (ProPublica) (BBC) (U.S. News & World Report) (Reuters) (Missing Migrants Project) (The Guardian) (Al Jazeera)

See also: How the origins of America’s immigrants have changed over the years

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