Stephanie Leutert

Recently, #StraussCAMPI Director @Sleutert and @TheLBJSchool students visited the Texas DPS and Texas National Guard museums, where they learned more about these entities' historical roles in border security enforcement.

U.S. deportations through Mexican border cities also continue - including both Mexican nationals and third-country individuals. From Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, U.S. authorities sent nearly 160,200 Mexican citizens to Mexico. Along with at least 12,983 non-Mexican individuals.

Many of these migrants are now trying to regularize their status in Mexico, navigating a slow asylum application process (often ~2 years), or facing limited legal work options. These challenges come amid shrinking support from migrant shelters and NGOs.

The February 2026 @StraussCenter border conditions report with @yatescait is now out. We estimate that ~5,260 migrants continue to live in Mexican border cities. Currently, there are no encampments, and most migrants live in apartments or rented rooms. strausscenter.org/publications/m…

In the @StraussCenter Feb 2026 Migration Dynamics & Conditions report, @Sleutert & I find: 🔒13+ months w/o access to asylum processing at U.S. border. 📈 Mexican border cities increasingly receiving third-country national removals. 🚧 New buoys/barriers in the Rio Grande Valley.

The #StraussCAMPI February 2026 update on "Migration Dynamics and Conditions at the U.S.-Mexico Border" is now live. Read CAMPI Director @Sleutert and Fellow @yatescait's findings here: bit.ly/CAMPIFeb26

ICYMI, #StraussCAMPI Director @SLeutert and her fellow researchers' article on "Rescue Beacons and Migrant Deaths in Southern Arizona" was recently published in the Center for Migration Studies' International Migration Review journal. Read here: bit.ly/LeutertIMR

The #StraussCAMPI November 2025 report on migration dynamics and conditions at the US-Mexico border, from program director @SLeutert and fellow @YatesCait, is available now. Learn more with this essential update: bit.ly/Nov25AsylumRep…

Out now: #StraussCAMPI Director @SLeutert and Fellow @yatescait's August 2025 report detailing current U.S. asylum restrictions in ports of entry and migrant experiences in Mexican border cities. Read their findings here: bit.ly/Aug25Report

These migrants are less visible than in the past. Many have moved out of shelters and into rented rooms and apartments, and there are no longer any tent encampments along the border. Non-Mexican migrants are often seeking to obtain some type of legal status in Mexico.

These individuals are concentrated in Tijuana, Mexicali, and Ciudad Juárez, with these three cities hosting roughly 80 percent of the border’s estimated migrant population.

The new August 2025 @StraussCenter border update with @yatescait is out! In recent months, the number of migrants waiting at the U.S.-Mexico border has dropped dramatically. We estimate that only ~6,600 asylum seeking migrants remain in MX border cities. strausscenter.org/publications/a…

The August 2025 @StraussCenter Asylum Processing report with @Sleutert is out. Asylum processing remains closed. Seven years into these quarterly reports, we estimate that roughly 6,600 migrants remain in Mexican border cities, the lowest # since 2019. strausscenter.org/publications/a…

My @StraussCenter @TheLBJSchool students wrote four reports about migration along the US-Mexico border. Here is the first one on California. It tracks clandestine migration routes, migrant risk and mortality, and smuggler demographics in the region. strausscenter.org/publications/c…

Breaking News: A judge ruled that President Trump can’t categorically deny asylum, rejecting his claim that extraordinary powers were needed at the border. nyti.ms/4nsIt2i

Biggest drop in waiting migrant population appears to be in Reynosa, where the security situation continues to be deeply challenging.

Slightly late, but the May 2025 @StraussCenter asylum processing report with @yatescait is now out! CBP is not processing asylum seekers and the number of migrants waiting in MX border cities is dropping (less than 6,000 people border-wide). strausscenter.org/publications/a…

The May 2025 @StraussCenter Asylum Processing report with @Sleutert is out. This is the 7th major enforcement and asylum policy change at the U.S. southern border since 2018 and the second phase where asylum processing has been almost exclusively closed at the border.

Much has been written over the past few weeks re: the impact of Trump’s #immigration raids on ag businesses. But in April, @yatescait & I wrote, “Expanding the #H2A visa program is the most sensible path forward to ensuring America’s food security.” riograndeguardian.com/garza-yates-tr…

Great work to this year's "Clandestine Migration Along the U.S. Mexico Border" policy research project teams on on their research presentations this week. We look forward to reading your findings! #StraussCAMPI @theLBJSchool @SLeutert