What are the root causes of migration? What is the journey of crossing the border like? What are some potential solutions that make the border process more efficient and secure, and honor the human dignity of migrants seeking refuge?
This resource page is a one-stop-shop that will be able to answer questions, offer perspective, share ways to advocate for a more fair, orderly, and humane immigration system, and more.
Context of a Border Journey
- In English and Spanish
- Interactive Journey to the U.S. Southern Border. An interactive representation of what it takes to make the journey to the U.S.-Mexico border and the reasons for making that journey.
Understanding the Root Causes and Drivers of Migration
- The Reasons Behind Increased Migration. This paper explains the root causes of irregular migration that have driven thousands of people to leave Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
- Alternative Pathways for Arrivals at the Border. This paper seeks to place challenges at the U.S. southwest border into a hemispheric context and examine the various alternative pathways migrants in the region have to lawfully come to the U.S.
- Changes in Migrant Demographics at the Southwest Border. Available border data shows a dramatic increase in migrant arrivals fleeing Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Colombia, and a relative decrease in arrivals from more traditional sending countries like Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador
Current Border Policies and Fact Sheets
- Q&A: The Biden Border Proclamation. On June 4, 2024, President Joe Biden released a presidential proclamation placing significant limits on asylum seekers in an attempt to “shut down” the U.S.’s southern border when encounters reach specified thresholds. This Q&A provides a top-level description of the proclamation and its impact.
- Explainer: The Biden Administration’s “Securing the Border” Interim Final Rule and Implementation of Border Policies. This explainer describes the “Securing the Border” interim final rule in detail. The explainer describes the proclamation’s most significant changes to the U.S. asylum system, while providing context on how the policies are being implemented on the ground.
- The Biden Administration’s Proposed Rule on Asylum Bars & Other Measures: Explainer. On May 9, 2024, the Biden administration announced a new proposed rule and other measures to consider certain eligibility criteria for humanitarian protection earlier in the adjudication process.
- Q&A: What to Know About the Biden Administration’s 2023 Asylum Restrictions. On May 10, 2023, the Biden administration released a new federal regulation that restricts asylum access and eligibility in the United States.
- Explainer: What Are Safe Mobility Offices? The Biden administration announced in spring 2023 that it was establishing new regional processing centers in Latin America, where prospective immigrants, temporary workers, and refugees would be able to access free screenings for potential lawful pathways to the United States and beyond.
- CBP One: Fact Sheet and Resources Directory. The CBP One mobile application was designed to enhance border processing functions and expedite entry processes for individuals and cargo at ports of entry. This post provides information and useful links about the app and its significance for processing at the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Mexico’s Asylum System: Good in Theory, Insufficient in Practice. This paper explores Mexico’s asylum system to determine whether it is an efficient, functional, and viable alternative for migrants to apply for asylum.
- Explainer: The Office of Refugee Resettlement and Unaccompanied Migrant Children. This explainer gives a general overview of ORR’s purpose, before delving deeper into its work with unaccompanied children encountered at the border.
- Border Security Along the Southwest Border: Fact Sheet. An overview of border security resources and personnel at the U.S.-Mexico border. Updated in 2021.
- Venezuelan Parole Program. On October 18, 2022, the Biden administration launched a private sponsorship parole program that will initially allow up to 24,000 Venezuelans to access temporary protections in the U.S.
Illicit Fentanyl and the U.S. Border
- Illicit Fentanyl and Drug Smuggling at the U.S.-Mexico Border: An Overview. This fact sheet examines drug seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly illicit fentanyl, and provides background information and recommendations on what we can do.
Read More About Current Legislation in Congress:
- Coalition Border Security & Management Framework: Comparison Chart. This document compares the coalition framework with two recent legislative proposals – the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2) and the border security and asylum reform provisions in the Senate’s national security supplemental.
- Border Security and Asylum Reform in the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024: Bill Explainer. This explainer summarizes the key border security and asylum sections within the Senate’s Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, a bipartisan compromise by Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) that includes significant changes that would transform border security and the asylum process in the U.S.
- The Dignity Act: Bill Summary. A bipartisan effort to strengthen border security in the United States, provide undocumented individuals with an opportunity to obtain legal status if they meet certain requirements, and update aspects of the U.S. legal immigration system.
- Bill Analysis: The Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2). This bill package would severely restrict the right to seek asylum in the U.S., curtail other existing lawful pathways, place unnecessary pressure on border communities, and make other significant changes to U.S. immigration law. Passed the House on May 11, 2023 by a 219 to 213 vote.
- Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2023: Bill Summary. The bill would shorten the current waiting period for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), otherwise known as a work permit, for asylum seekers from 180 days to 30 days.
Meaningful, Commonsense Border Management Solutions
- An immigration policy is set to end. What will it mean for US’s commitment as a land of refuge?
- Building a Healthier Border Dialogue.
- Reflections, perspectives on a just border
What You Can Do
- Urge Congress and the Biden Administration to work together, advance permanent solutions, and manage our border .
- Urge President Biden and Congress to Make Immigration Reforms a Top Priority.
- Tell your Senators to support meaningful, bipartisan immigration reform!
Additional Resources
- The Biden Administration’s January 2023 Border Plan.
- Title 42 and What Comes Next at the Border.
- The Legal Impact of Ending Title 42.
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