Common Sense on the Border Crisis: RAND

Apprehensions of undocumented immigrants at the US-Mexico border rise despite the US trying family separations, deployed military personnel, Mexico sheltering asylum-seekers, a declared national emergency and strengthened border security. The policies do not work, and there is a humanitarian crisis. “This massive surge in migration is driven almost entirely by families and children from Central America who now account for more than 60 percent of the people encountered by Border Patrol agents on the border,” explains Blas Nuñez-Neto, senior policy researcher for the RAND Corporation, for the Hill. “Instead of evading detection, these migrants are largely claiming asylum, which allows them to remain in the United States – and work – until their cases are heard.” US law prohibits detention of families and children for more than 20 days. With immigration courts overwhelmed, Nuñez-Neto urges policies that address families and children. Tough rhetoric and social media may spur some migrants to hurry before the border closes completely. He recommends a range of release and non-restrictive detention options, with access to counsel; visa application processes in home countries; increased court capacity; and assistance for Central American nations conditioned on anti-corruption measures. – YaleGlobal