A ‘Caravan’ of Illegal Immigrants: A Test of U.S. Borders

PURPOSE:

• To explore the logistical, operational and legal challenges associated with masses of migrants arriving at the southwest border and seeking asylum in the United States.
• To determine what actions need to be taken at the federal and state level to prepare for large groups of asylum seekers, and to explore how U.S. authorities are partnering with Mexican law enforcement and immigration authorities.

BACKGROUND:

• On March 25, 2018, a caravan of over a thousand Central Americans, led by the group Pueblo Sin Fronteras, set out for Mexico City. Many of the participants are believed to be seeking entrance to the United States.
• On April 4, 2018, the President issued a Memorandum to the Secretaries of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security requesting the National Guard be deployed to southern border states to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection in securing the southwest border.