U.S.-Mexico Border Update: May 1, 2026
Congress is closing in on a bill that could give ICE and Border Patrol another $70b through 2029. Several big cases in the appellate and Supreme Court this week. Third-country deportations to DRC, Costa Rica, and Paraguay. Border wall updates.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: April 17, 2026
A look at the data halfway into fiscal 2026. Republicans may seek to fund ICE and Border Patrol for 3+ years on a simple-majority vote. DHS organizational culture, abuses in ICE custody, border wall controversies, and updates from the migration route.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: April 3, 2026
Migrant encounter data. DHS remains partially shut down. DHS has new management, same mission. Deaths in ICE custody. Mounting evidence of harm to children. Updates about deportations. Asylum and TPS in the courts. Border walls and buoys.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: March 20, 2026
Sen. Mullin to replace Noem at DHS as partial shutdown continues. Timeline may slow for detention “warehouse” plan, while in-custody deaths skyrocket. Concerns about oversight of DHS, and about the border wall and natural areas.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: March 6, 2026
Kristi Noem leaves a DHS in turmoil. Border walls may be coming to Big Bend National Park. 10 people have died this year in ICE’s rapidly expanding detention system. ICE training cut from 72 to 42 days. New reports from Mexico.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: February 20, 2026
Coverage of cartel drones, laser weapons, and the El Paso airspace closure; the DHS shutdown and calls for reform; alarms about migrant detention; border wall plans; and recent border data.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: February 6, 2026
ICE is setting up a network of warehouses to store people. The Minneapolis killings triggered a wave of calls for deep reform at DHS. Democrats’ calls for reform could lead to a DHS shutdown after February 13. Courts considered challenges to mandatory detention and TPS cancellations.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: January 23, 2026
Three deaths in two months at Fort Bliss facility—including a homicide. 2026 DHS appropriation nears passage, with a handful of Democrats supporting. ICE memo purports to allow warrantless forcible entry into homes. December migration and drug-seizure data.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: January 9, 2026
The U.S. military operation to extract Nicolás Maduro has changed little for Venezuelan migrants. Updates about smuggling and stranded migrants in Mexico. Updates about new border barriers.
Weekly U.S.-Mexico Border Update: December 12, 2025
Developments in the U.S. military’s growing role at the U.S.-Mexico border, reports of deteriorating and inhuman conditions at ICE detention facilities, and updates from Mexico.
Adam Isacson