US immigration authorities reported the closure of five temporary processing facilities due to a decrease in the flow of migrants at the border with Mexico, which has reduced to about 300 daily apprehensions. The centers in Donna, North Eagle Pass, and Laredo (Texas), as well as those in Yuma and Tucson (Arizona) have been closed, while the facilities in San Diego (California) and El Paso (Texas) will remain operational, according to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Last February, the CBP reported that it apprehended 8,347 undocumented immigrants crossing the southwest border at various entry points, representing a 94 percent decrease compared to the previous year and a 71 percent month-to-month decrease. During that month, marked by new hardline measures by Donald Trump against irregular migration, the Border Patrol recorded an average of 330 daily apprehensions nationwide, the lowest number in CBP history.
According to Pete Flores, acting commissioner of the CBP, "the drastic drop in the detention of illegal immigrants as a result of President Trump's leadership allows us to reduce the number of temporary processing facilities at strategic points along the southwest border." Flores explained that these are no longer necessary because irregular migrants are being rapidly expelled.
Additionally, the president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, announced the gradual closure of migration centers in the Darién province, which have been operating since 2016 and served hundreds of thousands of undocumented individuals. Mulino explained that this decision is due to the significant decrease in flow northward on the continent, recording a reduction of up to 98 percent compared to previous years. "A year ago, we had 36,841 migrants crossing through Darién, today in March we reached 112," detailed the Panamanian president.
