Lecture: Migrant Arrivals at the Southern U.S. Border

Introduction

• Unprecedented number of migrants at the southern border.
• 2.5 million instances of detainment or turning away last year.
• Fastest growing group: Chinese migrants.

Migrant Entry Details

• Large groups entered through a gap in the border fence, 60 miles east of San Diego.
• Despite border patrol presence, migrants continued to enter.
• Many took grueling trips through various countries to reach the U.S.

Profiles of Chinese Migrants

• Include college graduates, teachers, bankers, and small business owners.
• Middle-class migrants traveled with rolling bags, many flew to Mexico.
• Common route: China to Ecuador (visa-free for Chinese nationals), then to Tijuana, Mexico.

Reasons for Migration

• Escape from China's political repression and economic challenges.
• Seeking freedom and better living conditions.

Use of Technology in Migration

• TikTok used to spread information and instructions on entering the U.S.
• Step-by-step guides for hiring smugglers and directions to entry points were found.

Migrant Reception in the U.S.

• Migrants wait to be picked up by U.S. Border Patrol.
• Taken to detention facilities for background checks and interviews.
• Usually released within 72 hours to start asylum process.

Humanitarian Aid

• Volunteers like Jacqueline Arellano assist migrants with language barriers using translation apps.

Challenges in the Legal Entry Process

• Difficulty using the CBP1 app to book appointments at ports of entry.
• Appointments can take 3-4 months to secure.

Visa Challenges

• U.S.-China tensions have made visas difficult to obtain.
• Temporary visas to Chinese nationals drastically reduced from 2016 to 2022.

Asylum and Deportation Issues

• 55% of Chinese migrants granted asylum, comparatively high.
• U.S. faces challenges deporting failed asylum seekers back to China due to lack of cooperation.

Conclusion

• Large gaps in border security allow continuous entry of migrants.
• Customs and Border Protection require congressional funding to address the gap issues.

Post-Release Actions

• Many migrants simply call an Uber after release and move on.

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