Border Enforcement Program Critics Say It’s Expensive, Ineffective and Unfair

As Republicans push for increased border enforcement, many have sought to expand Operation Streamline, a “zero tolerance” immigration enforcement program that automatically slates all migrants caught crossing the border illegally for criminal prosecution. (Immigrant deportation is generally a civil, not a criminal, matter.) But critics of the program More…

Miller Argues for East Germany-like Border Security Plan

Speaking of border security, Alaska Senate candidate Joe Miller, a Tea Partier who ousted Sen. Lisa Murkowski in the state’s Republican primary, has a proposal for how to make the borders safer: Emulate East Germany.

“The first thing that has to be done is secure the More…

Record Number Die Crossing Arizona Border

Near the end of August, the number of deaths by border crossers in Pima County, Ariz., was beginning to climb to near-record numbers. Today, NPR reports that the number of deaths by migrants in the Arizona desert has officially surpassed all previous years: 252 bodies of More…

Death in the Desert

Mother Jones has an interesting article in its latest issue about the “Juan Doe” problem: What do U.S. officials do with the dead bodies of migrants they find in the desert? It’s a particularly important question this year, as deaths among border crossers are nearing record More…

Clinton Compares Cartels to an Insurgency

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used strong language Wednesday to describe Mexico’s struggle against its drug cartels, comparing it to an insurgency, even though others in the administration have specifically avoided making such a comparison.

When Humanitarian Acts Are Illegal

Immigrants are dying in near-record numbers at some border-crossing spots in Arizona, in part because increased enforcement funnels many migrants through harsh terrain and a cruel desert climate. In response, humanitarian groups leave water bottles on popular trails to help prevent deaths among migrants. But as TIME’s Adam More…

Poll: Mexicans More Likely to Come to U.S. if Granted Amnesty

The polling wars on immigration reform have officially begun. Today, the Center for Immigration Studies, which aims to restrict immigration to the United States and deport those who are here illegally, sent around the findings of a recent Zogby poll which finds that — surprise! — a majority More…