Rising Migrant Detentions in Mexico Amid Decreasing U.S. Border Encounters.
As encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border have decreased in recent weeks, Mexican authorities report a significant increase in migrant detentions. Over 600,000 unauthorized migrants are currently held in detention centers across Mexico.
This year, encounters with Mexican immigration officials have surged by 200% compared to the same period last year. Approximately 1.3 million migrants are traveling through Mexico, with many attempting to reach the U.S. border.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) informed Newsweek that migrants face numerous obstacles in Mexico. They have limited access to asylum and work permits, and many are being bused away from the border.
Mirroring the situation on the U.S. side, migrants are transported in buses to various locations throughout the country, often without knowing their final destination.
Rafael Velasquez Garcia, the IRC’s director in Mexico, described the current situation as an “aggregate of actions” aimed at preventing migration. He noted, “There is just a massive constant push to bring people down just one step, two steps.”
While Mexico has recorded deportation numbers, Garcia emphasized that these figures do not reflect the extensive efforts to relocate migrants within the country.
In 2023 alone, more than 3,100 bus trips were made, moving people away from border states further south into Mexico.
Garcia explained that many migrants do not stay in the areas where authorities place them. Instead, they often try to make the journey north again. He shared, “I’ve talked to people who say: ‘It’s the second time I’ve been pushed down.’ Many are trying to reunite with family members, and they are not going to stop because they want to be with their siblings, sons, or daughters.”
As the situation evolves, it remains clear that both U.S. and Mexican border policies continue to affect the journeys of countless migrants seeking a better life.
