Changing Landscape of Humanitarian Aid at the U.S.-Mexico Border
SAN YSIDRO, California — In a significant shift, humanitarian efforts at the southern border have taken a new direction, impacting the lives of migrants and the organizations that support them. After a lengthy period of inactivity, humanitarian aid workers dismantled their once-active aid station near the border wall. They had gone a month without assisting any migrants, a stark contrast to the heightened activity of the previous year.
Declining Migrant Crossings
Last year, the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border reached unprecedented levels, prompting the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker-founded organization dedicated to human rights, to set up three extensive canopies. These structures served as crucial hubs for food, clothing, and medical supplies. However, now, amid significantly lower crossings, the situation has changed dramatically.
Shelters that once supported migrants have shuttered, makeshift camps are deserted, and non-profits are redirecting their resources toward established immigrants in the U.S. facing deportation or those stranded in southern Mexico.
Increased Border Security
Faced with the dwindling number of migrants, the U.S. Border Patrol has escalated security measures. With the aid of about 750 military personnel, they have reinforced six miles of the border wall with concertina wire.
Adriana Jasso, Program Coordinator for the Service Committee, organizes supplies in San Ysidro, where aid was once plentiful.
On a recent day at the remaining nearly-empty aid station, workers packed away boxes marked with benevolent offerings—“kids/hydration,” “tea and hot cocoa,” and “small sweater.” These marked items were now unnecessary, reflective of the reduced demand for such supplies. Border Patrol apprehensions have dwindled to approximately 30 to 40 incidents daily, a sharp drop from over 1,200 during peak migration periods in April.
Reflections on the Past
Jasso reminisces about the chaotic times when large numbers of migrants sought help. “This was the first time we took on this level of providing humanitarian aid,” she said, expressing a sense of completion, but added, “Because life can be unpredictable, we may be called to help again.”
In May 2023, the Biden Administration ended a controversial, pandemic-era policy that expedited the return of asylum seekers to Mexico, leading to a surge in migrant arrivals. Numerous people attempted to cross the border near a zone known as Whiskey 8, where many sought refuge by handing themselves over to Border Patrol agents.
Current Situation on the Ground
However, as of February 15, Jasso noted, the area’s activity had diminished significantly, with the last group of migrants she assisted comprising mostly men from India and China.
AFSC volunteer Emma Starkey considers the implications of declining migration, stating, “It’s been about a month since we’ve seen anyone.”
As Jasso dismantled the canopies, remnants of previous efforts lingered, including a stuffed Minnie Mouse—originally handed to her by a young girl and a symbol of the lost hopes that once filled the area.
Shifts in Supporting Migrants
As Border Patrol announced increased defense measures and deployments, humanitarian organizations reflected on their evolving roles. Jeffery Stalnaker, the acting Border Patrol chief, noted a major shift in arrests, claiming a 70% decrease compared to last year, translating into a dramatic drop in migrant numbers.
As camps once bustling with activity have ceased, efforts have been reallocated. Groups like the Immigrant Defenders Law Center are now focused on assisting migrants facing deportation in areas far from the border, while organizations have ventured into southern Mexico to support asylum seekers and those unable to return home.
Erika Pinheiro, executive director of Al Otro Lado, expressed the challenges faced, noting that deportees often travel further south, leading to a decrease in those awaiting assistance in Tijuana.
Future of Humanitarian Aid
Despite these changes, Jasso stated the American Friends Service Committee is committed to continuing its direct humanitarian efforts as circumstances evolve. With anticipations of increased danger for migrants, as they seek illegal crossings through perilous terrains, the work remains crucial—highlighting the ongoing need for humanitarian aid, regardless of fluctuating migration levels.