Wall Street Journal: “The record numbers of people entering the country illegally aren’t the only reason border communities are struggling in Texas and shelters are full as far away as Massachusetts. In the past, most migrants were single adults from Mexico looking for work. If caught by the Border Patrol, they could easily and quickly be deported.”
“Now, a fast-growing share are families with children, who are difficult to deport to their home countries. The change started around 2014 and has exploded in the past two years.”
“Many families are fleeing gang violence in Central America, though recently a growing number are escaping political repression and poverty in South America. After crossing into the U.S., they typically surrender to the first border agent they find.”
