In March 2024, U.S. Border Patrol agents detained a lower number of migrants crossing the southern U.S. border without a legal basis. The number of migrants apprehended for the month of March was 137,000, down from 141,000 in February, per preliminary information from Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Mexican government taking a more active approach helped contribute to this decline. This is the first time in the last seven years that migration dropped from February to March of the year. Over the past three years, the number of migrant border crossings without a legal basis spiked in March of each year.

Over 50,000 migrants with a legal basis were admitted to the United States in March 2024. Many of these individuals who gained legal access used the CBP One mobile phone app to schedule an appointment for asylum processing. As in the past, an increase in migration is expected in the spring. One contributing factor to slowing the number of illegal migrant crossings at the U.S. southern border is the increased action of Mexico. The rise in deportations by the U.S. has also helped deter individuals from crossing the border without a legal basis. 630,000 migrants have been deported by the U.S. to Mexico or their home countries since May of 2023, per the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data.

The Biden administration is considering various options including limits to the asylum program. While executive action may be activated, ultimately significant U.S. immigration reform is necessary. Only Congress can reform U.S. immigration policy. It was last updated in the 1990s.

As always, if you have questions about any U.S. immigration issues, please contact us. Our team of experienced attorneys work directly with our clients every step of the way.