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• Aid groups on the U.S.-Mexico border face increasing scrutiny from Republicans and the incoming Trump administration.
• These groups provide critical support to migrants, including shelter, meals, and work tips.
• The Trump administration plans to review and potentially cut funding to these organizations, labeling them as magnets for illegal immigration.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The U.S.-Mexico border has seen a surge in migrant crossings, partly due to the lingering effects of Trump-era policies such as “Remain in Mexico” and “metering,” which forced many asylum seekers to wait in dangerous conditions on the Mexican side of the border.

Core Players

• Donald Trump – President-elect with a promised ambitious immigration agenda.
• Tom Homan – Trump’s incoming border czar, vows to review the role of nongovernmental organizations.
• Vivek Ramaswamy – Entrepreneur tasked with cutting federal spending, targets border aid groups.
• Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley – A key nonprofit providing aid to migrants.

Key Numbers

• $650 million – Federal funding received by border aid groups in one program last year.
• 70,000 – Asylum seekers forced to wait in Mexico under “Remain in Mexico” policy.
• 200,000 – People expelled from the U.S. southern border, including 8,800 unaccompanied children, by March 2020.
• 120,000 – Migrants encountered by Mexico’s Migration Policy Unit in April 2023.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The incoming Trump administration’s vow to carry out an ambitious immigration agenda, including mass deportations and the review of nongovernmental organizations, has sent shockwaves through aid groups on the U.S.-Mexico border.

“The groundwork is being laid here in Texas for a larger assault on nonprofits that are just trying to protect people’s civil rights,” said Rochelle Garza, president of the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Inside Forces

Aid groups on the border have been crucial in providing support to migrants, often in collaboration with the Border Patrol. These groups offer shelter, meals, and assistance in finding work and navigating the asylum process.

However, the Trump administration and its allies argue that these groups are magnets for illegal immigration and have called them “a waste of taxpayer dollars.”

Power Dynamics

The relationship between the Trump administration and border aid groups is highly contentious. The administration plans to use the National Guard to arrest migrants and install buoy barriers on the waters between the U.S. and Mexico.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has already launched investigations into several organizations providing aid to migrants, alleging without evidence that they encourage illegal crossings.

Outside Impact

The repercussions of targeting these aid groups could be severe for border communities. Local officials and some Republicans warn that without these shelters, the communities could collapse under the humanitarian costs.

Courts have largely rebuffed the state’s efforts to shut down these organizations, but several cases remain on appeal.

Future Forces

The Biden administration’s recent efforts to limit asylum seekers and Mexico’s increased cooperation in migrant apprehensions set a complex stage for future border policies.

The incoming Trump administration’s plans, including using the National Guard and installing buoy barriers, suggest a hardline approach that could exacerbate border tensions.

Data Points

• 2022: Trump-era policies like “Remain in Mexico” forced over 70,000 asylum seekers to wait in Mexico.
• 2022: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began investigations into border nonprofits.
• 2023: Mexico reported a record 97,969 migrant encounters in November.
• 2024: The Biden administration considers an executive order to limit asylum seekers.