Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election has reshaped the landscape for millions of migrants worldwide. While Trump's administration has promised to reduce immigration and tighten legal pathways into the U.S., experts warn that the new policies will likely drive migrants to riskier routes, including relying on smugglers and organized crime groups to enter the country.
Though Trump's rhetoric has been harsh on immigration, many migrants, including those already en route to the U.S., are not daunted. In fact, some may even increase their reliance on illicit networks. The U.N. International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates the number of international migrants is steadily rising, with around 281 million people now displaced globally, or 3.6% of the global population. The IOM also warns that when regular migration pathways are restricted, migrants often turn to more dangerous, irregular channels.
