Illegal immigration through US-Mexico river border drops sharply

A U.S. border patrol agent patrols a trail along the Rio Grande river at the border between United States and Mexico, in Roma, Texas, United States. Last fall, during the waning months of the Obama administration, hundreds of immigrants crossed the river each day, many willingly handing themselves over to immigration authorities in hopes of being released into the United States to await court proceedings that would decide their fate. Now, the agents look out on an empty landscape. The reason for the change is a perception in Mexico and Central America that President Donald Trump has ended the practice known as “catch-and-release” as would-be border violators know “they’ll be detained and then turned right back around.” (REUTERS)

Published on: Jun 10, 2017 7:06 PM IST

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Published on Jun 10, 2017 7:06 PM

A U.S. border patrol agent patrols a trail along the Rio Grande river at the border between United States and Mexico, in Roma, Texas, United States. Last fall, during the waning months of the Obama administration, hundreds of immigrants crossed the river each day, many willingly handing themselves over to immigration authorities in hopes of being released into the United States to await court proceedings that would decide their fate. Now, the agents look out on an empty landscape. The reason for the change is a perception in Mexico and Central America that President Donald Trump has ended the practice known as “catch-and-release” as would-be border violators know “they’ll be detained and then turned right back around.” (REUTERS)

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The Rio Grande river is seen at a pedestrian port of entry from Mexico to the United States, in McAllen, Texas. US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on a visit to El Paso, Texas in April, “We have ended dangerous catch-and-release enforcement policies.” But immigration attorneys, government statistics and even some officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which falls under Kelly, suggest that despite the DHS chief’s statement, there has been no clear change to the catch-and-release policy. (REUTERS)

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Local residents of Ciudad Miguel Aleman town are seen by the Rio Grande river at the border between United States and Mexico, in Roma, Texas. (REUTERS)

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U.S. border patrol agents look over the Rio Grande river at the border between United States and Mexico, in Roma, Texas. (REUTERS)

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A woman crosses a bridge over the Rio Grande river at a pedestrian port of entry from Mexico to the United States. (REUTERS)

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A U.S. border patrol agent escorts men being detained after entering the United States by crossing the Rio Grande river from Mexico. (REUTERS)

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Abandoned clothing is seen near the US-Mexico border fence. (REUTERS)

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The US-Mexico border fence is seen in McAllen, Texas. (REUTERS)

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A man swims in the Rio Grande river at the border between Unites States and Mexico in McAllen, Texas. (REUTERS)