Overview of Migrant Encounters
According to data from the National Migration Institute and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), encounters between migrants and authorities on the shared border have decreased by more than 80% in the first five months of 2025. From January to May, CBP reported 108,658 encounters between migrants and US agents, a significant drop from 905,920 cases during the same period in 2024, representing an 88% reduction.
By Nationality
- Mexicans: Account for 54,465 (50%) of the encounters. In April and May, cases slightly increased by 1.6%, from 9,534 to 9,695.
- Guatemalans: Total 8,547 encounters, a 90% decrease compared to 2024’s 85,770 cases.
- Hondurans: Detained 6,462 times, an 87% decrease from the 49,212 events in the same months of 2024.
- Salvadorans: 2,559 events in the first five months of 2025, down from 20,665 cases in 2024, an 88% decrease.
- Other nationalities: Including Russians, Brazilians, Colombians, Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, Chinese, Ukrainians, etc., totaled 36,625 events, the lowest in at least five years.
Canadian Border Encounters
Similarly, encounters between US agents and migrants have decreased at the Canadian border. From January to May 2025, there were 23,438 encounters, a 71.5% decrease from the 82,448 cases during the same period in 2024.
Migrant Detentions in Mexico
In Mexico, detentions by migration agents have also significantly decreased from 590,690 events in the first five months of 2024 to 113,612 cases in 2025, an 88% reduction.
States with the Highest Detention Events
- Chiapas: 25,271 events (25% of total)
- Tabasco: 69,107 events (58% of total), totaling 83% of all detentions
Within Tabasco, detentions have occurred in 11 municipios, with Centro (23,587), Macuspana (11,343), and Huimanguillo (11,040) leading in events. In Chiapas, 29 municipios reported detentions, with Tapachula (8,579), Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and Jiquipilas (2,044) having the most cases.
Of the total detentions in Mexico, 89% (101,497) involve individuals from the Americas; 55.5% of these cases are from South America, particularly Venezuela (29,058 cases). Central America accounted for 27% (30,522), the Caribbean Islands 12.5% (14,221), Africa 5% (6,237), and Asia 5% (5,518).
Age Distribution of Detentions
In the first five months of 2025, there were 11,306 detention events involving minors who could not verify their irregular status in the country. Of these, 3,291 were aged 12-17, and 8,015 were under 12. Most (7,968) traveled with an accompanying adult, while 57 were unaccompanied.
Tragic Incident Leads to Mexican National’s Death
Ex-ICE Director’s Statement on the Incident
Tom Homan, former director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), described the incident that resulted in the death of Mexican national Jaime Alanís as “sad and unfortunate.” However, Homan defended the actions of ICE agents.
“Nobody wants to see people die. But the agents were doing their job,” Homan said during an interview with CNN.
Homan emphasized that “ICE did not have custody of this person,” in response to criticism.
Confirmation of Mexican National’s Death
Jaime Alanís, a Mexican agricultural worker over 50 from Zinapécuaro, Michoacán, died during a migration raid in California, USA. Local press reported that Alanís fell from more than nine meters while attempting to escape an greenhouse in Ventura County on July 10.
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard provided consular assistance to Alanís’ family, both in the US and Mexico.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main topic of this article? The significant decrease in migrant encounters at the US-Mexico border in 2025, with a notable rise in Mexican detentions and a tragic incident leading to the death of a Mexican national.
- What is the percentage decrease in migrant encounters at the US border from 2024 to 2025? Over 80%.
- Which nationalities saw the most significant decrease in detentions at the US border? Guatemalans (-90%), Hondurans (-87%), and Salvadorans (-88%).
- What led to the death of Jaime Alanís during a migration raid in California? Alanís fell from more than nine meters while attempting to escape a greenhouse in Ventura County.
- What was Tom Homan’s response to criticism regarding the incident involving Jaime Alanís? Homan stated that ICE agents were doing their job and emphasized that ICE did not have custody of Alanís.
