Part 2/14:

The Expanding Border Crisis: Numbers and Routes

The U.S.-Mexico border has long been a focal point of migration issues, but the scale and composition are now more diverse and challenging. According to recent data, about 2.5 million migrants entered the U.S. illegally via the U.S.-Mexico border in 2023, with Chinese nationals accounting for approximately 37,439 of these entries—double the number compared to a decade ago. These migrants primarily follow a grueling route: crossing the rugged Darién Gap, traveling through Colombia and Panama, and then moving into Central American countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, and ultimately, the United States.