Number of Migrants Attempting to Cross Border Surging

Shortly after Trump took office, apprehensions of undocumented immigrants attempting to cross the border into the U.S. hit a 17-year low, which administration officials gleefully dubbed “ the Trump effect.” The number of migrants now attempting to cross the border again has surged, providing that the so-called Trump effect that deterred some immigrants from border crossings has worn off. For example, in December 2017, the number of migrants attempting to cross the Southwest border alone surpassed 40,000, a figure that is more than double the monthly figures from the spring of 2017. As a result of the increase in attempted border crossings, border officers are stopping an estimated 1,000 people per day. Migrant shelters are at maximum capacity, and immigration lawyers are seeing soaring caseloads. Some immigration advocates believe that since Trump’s promises to build a border wall and hire thousands more border agents have not come to fruition and completely lack funding at this point, immigrants are finding it no riskier to attempt a border crossing than it was in the past. For its part, the Trump administration is now using the large increases in border crossings as support for a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws. Despite the rebound in border apprehensions in recent months, however, there are no clear estimates as to how many immigrants are successfully crossing the border. Still, the recent increases in border crossing attempts have not eclipsed the numbers that reached a crisis point in 2014, when as many as 70,000 immigrants per month were attempting to cross the border, many of whom were unaccompanied minors from Central America. As the Department of Homeland Security points out, the border apprehensions in 2017 still were a 40% decrease from 2016. If you or a loved one has a deportation case in process, you need immediate legal assistance. We are the California deportation defense lawyers to whom you can turn if you or a loved one are facing deportation proceedings, no matter whether you are facing criminal charges, you have a criminal conviction, or you simply have no legal status. Regardless of the complexity or difficulty of the situation, Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. has the experience, knowledge, and skills to advocate on behalf of you and your family throughout the course of any deportation proceedings. Contact our office today and let us answer all of your questions about any aspect of deportation proceedings.