Shelter operators report a decrease in the number of migrants in border towns and large U.S. cities

Shelters along the southern U.S. border and in major cities are experiencing sharp declines in the number of migrants seeking refuge, with some reporting drops as high as 60% in just the past few months. This decrease is attributed to President Joe Biden’s executive actions limiting asylum claims and increased enforcement by Mexico to stem the flow of migrants northward. The effects of these actions are being felt in shelter populations across the border. In cities such as El Paso and Nogales, the number of migrants needing shelter has drastically reduced compared to a year ago. Increased reliance on CBP One app, which allows migrants to apply for asylum without entering the U.S., is also contributing to the decline in shelter populations. Other cities, like Tucson, Chicago, and Denver, are also seeing significant drops in their migrant populations, with some attributing the decrease to the city’s decision to evict migrants from shelters after a set period or resettlement to other places. While some shelter operators are waiting to see if the decline in migrant populations persists after the U.S. elections in November, they acknowledge that the factors driving migration and the demographics of those heading north have not changed.

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