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: What to Know About the Biden Administration’s New Asylum Restrictions. On May 10, the Biden administration released a new federal regulation that will severely restrict 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.
- The Implications of the Biden Asylum Rule in Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and the Northern Triangle Nations. This paper explores whether these countries represent efficient, functional, and viable alternatives for migrants to seek asylum.
- 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.
Read More About Current Legislation in Congress:
- 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.
- Bill Analysis: Two-Year Temporary Expulsion Authority Legislation (S.1473). The bill would legislate two years of mandatory detention and expulsion for almost all migrants and asylum seekers at the United States-Mexico border, with narrow exceptions.
- 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?
- 42 Border Solutions That Are Not Title 42.
- 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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