The arrest of migrants at the Texas border fell precipitously in January compared to the same month the previous year, marking the start of a new trend along the country’s southern border.
Meanwhile, there was a significant increase in arrests at entry points in California and Arizona compared to the previous year.
According to experts, a variety of factors are believed to be contributing to the change, resulting in thousands of migrants arriving in California weekly as they wait for their immigration court dates.
Increased law enforcement actions by the governments of Mexico, Panama, and Colombia, along with escalated violence by cartels along the Texas border in Mexico, have probably reduced the anticipated influx of migrants into that state.
Greg Abbott’s new immigration policies in Texas, such as the installation of razor wire along certain border areas and a pending state law, may be contributing to the situation.
According to Adam Isaacson, director of defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, a research and advocacy group, “for something to change that much that quickly, it’s either word of mouth among migrants or some change among smuggling patterns, or both.”
Some individuals are already considering altering their paths in response to the Texas law.
This law would allow local law enforcement to arrest migrants for illegal entry and reentry, resulting in potential jail time.
Immigration advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have advised against traveling to Texas.
“How does that [information] filter out?” Isacson mentioned. “Everyone nowadays owns smartphones and can easily change their destination at a moment’s notice.”
California vs. Republicans, Supreme Court Ruling on Texas’ Barbed Wire
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office attributed the lack of progress on border security to Republicans.
“In the absence of any political courage from the Republican Party, California has once again stepped up — making historic investments and serving as a model of partnership for a safe and humane border,” spokeswoman Erin Mellon wrote in a statement.
Texas’ policies regarding immigration have caused tension with the Biden administration.
In the previous month, Texas was unsuccessful in a legal battle with the administration regarding its implementation of barbed wire along the border.
With a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Border Patrol officers have the authority to take down barbed wire put up by Texas officials, which was blocking federal agents from monitoring sections along the Rio Grande.
