Mexican artists decorated a section of the border wall in Nogales to symbolize those who have died attempting to cross the border.
Friends and supporters occasionally ask us: “What’s happening on the border these days? What changes do you notice?”
And, they’re wise to ask this; because, the border area is always subject to flux. What’s common or typical at one time may be entirely different another time. People change. Personnel changes. Political policies change. Weather changes. Many factors influence what is “normal” on the border.
So, in 2025, what are we noticing? We’d like to share some comments from our Border Partner connections.
International Migration Changes
One of our long-term volunteers, Billie Greenwood, attended the Binational Encuentro on the N. Mexico border in the Yuma (AZ) Sector October 12. This event gathered Roman Catholic bishops from both sides of the border as well as migrant supporters and activists from around the US with locals in San Luis Rio Colorado in Sonora, Mexico.
The bishops signed a joint statement supporting the right to migrate and affirming the dignity of migrants. Meanwhile, the attendees heard a panel of experts from the US and Mexico explain their situations in 2025. Billie shared what she learned with us.
Migration in Mexico
There are no longer US appointments available for asylum seekers. Thus, there’s no avenue for people to plead for political asylum on our border in a regularized manner. These legal means disappeared overnight in January. Migrants seeking refuge are consumed with despair and bewilderment.
In Puerto Palomas, migration has disappeared. The migrant shelter in Palomas has closed. Colores United in Deming, NM has closed its doors. Casa Alitas in Tucson, AZ closed in January. Now, no one seeks shelter on the border to continue northward to unite with relatives or sponsors as they once did.
Our Border Justice Project friends in Silver City have stopped collecting supplies to support migrants who are journeying northward. That’s because no new migrants are entering the U.S.
Meanwhile, organized crime in Mexico has grown more powerful and vicious. Crime syndicates are responsible for disappearances, kidnapping and trafficking of migrants and others who are trapped in Mexico, unable to go north. These atrocities were once more commonly localized on the north border. But, now this violent activity has moved downwards into central Mexico.
U.S. Immigrants’ Situation
The immigrant communities in the United States are stricken with fear. They’re reluctant to leave their homes unnecessarily. Their church attendance has dropped dramatically.
Their greatest need is reliable and legitimate legal aid. All those who can file for a U.S. passport would benefit from possessing one. This will give them greater legitimacy and afford them the right to travel beyond the US without needing to await for the passport application process.