Even though apprehensions at southern border rose slightly in August, monthly border crossings are still about 80% less compared to last December, when over 200,000 migrants were caught trying to enter the country. The numbers have even prompted authorities to consider changes to the policy, changes that would extend the duration and broaden the criteria required to lift the stringent asylum restrictions.
There's no one reason behind the decrease as Democrats tend to highlight President tougher asylum policies and Republicans point to Gov. Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star, which is aimed at curbing unlawful migration. But an often overlooked factor that has had major consequences in the drop lies in the Mexican government's ramped-up enforcement efforts, particularly in the country's southern border, as The Washington Post reports.
