Border militarization between Mexico and the United States is now a fact
The US-Mexico border has seen an increase in migrant activity following the end of the pandemic-era border policy. The specific date for the end of this policy is not provided.
This surge is primarily due to a combination of factors, including large-scale displacement in Latin America, economic consequences of COVID-19, and evolving migration dynamics in the region.
One of the key reasons for the surge is the large displacement in Latin America. Since around 2017 and peaking in 2022-2023, migration to the US southwestern border surged to unprecedented levels, driven mainly by the collapse of Venezuela, which displaced over 7.7 million people fleeing repression and economic hardship.
Another significant factor is the economic fallout from the pandemic. Latin America experienced the deepest COVID-19 recession globally, with an average loss of 7% GDP and a rise of over 20 million people into poverty, fueling migration.
Criminal networks have also become more sophisticated, encouraging migrants to turn themselves in to claim asylum, exploiting overloaded detention capacities.
The ending of pandemic-era policies, such as Title 42, which had restricted asylum claims due to COVID-19, removed some restrictions, leading to increased legal and illegal migration attempts as migrants sought to benefit from more accessible asylum pathways.
Enforcement and diplomatic efforts, while aiming to reduce unauthorized crossings, have not fully reversed the migration flows. The underlying push factors for migration remain strong.
In response to these challenges, the US government has deployed armored vehicles and troops to Laredo, Texas. City officials discussed the possibility of a military deployment to support border operations on June 30. Approximately 100 soldiers and 10 small Stryker vehicles from the US military are set to arrive to assist US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Laredo.
It remains unclear which town will be selected for the new military zones, with suggestions including Laredo and Zapata.
Mexico's Federal Economic Competition Commission has closed the case against Google, while Mexican Senate leader Fernandez Noroña made a statement about Los Angeles, implying it is essentially Mexico. These events, however, are not directly related to the border situation.
Tropical Storm Dalila has formed off the coasts of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico, but it is not expected to have a significant impact on the border region.
Since early 2025, CBP has reported a historic decrease in illegal crossings at the southwest border, indicating that while the current situation is challenging, progress is being made in managing the border.
In conclusion, the surge in migrants at the US-Mexico border reflects broad regional instability worsened by the pandemic’s economic impact and changes in US border policies rather than a single cause. The scale of displacement and poverty in the Western Hemisphere continues to drive migration demand despite enhanced enforcement.
War-and-conflicts in Latin America, such as the collapse of Venezuela, have led to large-scale displacement, driving an increase in migration activity towards the US-Mexico border, which is a key factor in the current surge. Meanwhile, politics play a role in this issue, with the ending of pandemic-era border policies like Title 42 and the deployment of troops to Laredo, Texas, being significant events that have removed some restrictions and potentially exacerbated the situation.
The economic fallout from the pandemic, including the deepest COVID-19 recession globally and a rise of over 20 million people into poverty in Latin America, is another critical factor contributing to the surge in migrant activity towards the US-Mexico border, highlighting the role of politics and general news in this situation.
