For the first time in history, Mexico had to deal with more undocumented migrants than the US

For the first time in recorded history, Mexico reported more encounters with undocumented migrants within its borders than the United States, according to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The figures include both Border Patrol apprehensions and apprehensions processed at ports of entry via the CBP One app. The development is linked to several factors, including shifts in U.S. immigration policy and increased enforcement by Mexican authorities.

Mexican Enforcement vs. Operation Lone Star

Governor Greg Abbott has touted his multibillion-dollar border initiative, Operation Lone Star, for the recent sharp decline in the number of undocumented migrants attempting to enter Texas. In a recent television interview, Abbott stressed that Texas, which contains more than two-thirds of the U.S.-Mexico border, has fewer illegal border crossings than other states. “We are having a major impact in stopping the flow of illegal immigration into the state of Texas,” said Abbott.

However, border experts suggest the situation is more complex. WOLA, a human rights organization, analyzed the significant drop in the number of migrants arriving in the US in 2024. In their report, WOLA disputes Abbott’s claims, stating: “Abbott’s claims that his state’s hardline border policies are responsible for the decline are not supported by the numbers.” The report points to another important factor: Mexico’s tougher approach to migrants traveling through the country.

“The main reason for the decline is strict controls by the Mexican government on people traveling through the country,” The report said: “This has resulted in large numbers of migrants being detained or displaced within Mexico.” Mexico has been under increasing pressure from the U.S. for years to strengthen its immigration enforcement efforts, and it has responded by detaining or stopping more migrants within its borders before they can reach the U.S.

CBP One App processing times

Another factor contributing to the decline in the number of migrants crossing the border is the bottleneck of asylum seekers waiting for interview appointments in Mexico. The CBP One app is currently the primary tool for managing the flow of asylum seekers into the U.S. The app allows migrants to book appointments at border crossings, and recently expanded coverage to locations in southern Mexico. Despite the expansion, the number of daily appointments (1,450) processed by CBP has not increased, which could exacerbate migration bottlenecks within Mexico.

Research by the Strauss Center indicates that 70 percent of these appointments are assigned randomly, while 30 percent is reserved for those who wait the longest. This allocation method forces some migrants to stay in Mexico for extended periods of time.

In addition, many migrants report experiencing problems using the appincluding the need to own a mobile phone, be literate and have consistent internet access. For those who do not meet these criteria, it is almost impossible to submit their asylum application, as CBP is currently processing fewer than 100 walk-ins per day at select ports of entrywith priority given to those with medical emergencies, the Strauss Center said.

Humanitarian concerns

Even for those who meet the required criteria, Making an appointment via the CBP One app can result in waiting times of six to nine months at certain border crossings. This delay is contributing to a growing backlog of asylum seekers waiting on the Mexican side of the border, where they are vulnerable to exploitation by drug cartels and other criminal groups operating in Mexico’s border states.

Advocacy groups like WOLA say the most viable solution to this problem is to increase the number of daily appointments and “walk-ups” at the border. However, U.S. authorities have no plans to do so anytime soon.