Director for Defense Oversight

With this series of updates, WOLA seeks to cover the most important developments at the U.S.-Mexico border. See past updates here.

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After six years of producing Border Updates, WOLA is scaling back the Updates’ scope to balance demands on our time and resources. (Program staff also oversee U.S. defense and security policy in Latin America and the Caribbean, which has grown much more active over the past year.)

For the foreseeable future, we will present Border Updates as topic headers with links to source material, without the lengthy narratives.

Border data released through August

Border wall Big Bend Arizona Elsewhere

Temporary Protected Status El Salvador Haiti

Third-country deportations Africa Ecuador Mexican citizens in Guatemala Guyana

Mexican citizens in Guatemala

Somalis being held at Guantánamo Bay

Seeking to collect fines from deported migrants

Protest incident at Fort Bliss detention camp

Non-fatal fire in a Mexican government migrant detention center in Janos, Chihuahua, near Ciudad Juárez

“Sentinel Tower” opens in downtown Ciudad Juárez

ICE arrests Nicaraguan dissident journalist who was seeking asylum

Reports from elsewhere in the Americas

The military at the border

Border Patrol expansion

Links: “mass deportation” and human rights in the U.S. interior Data The detention system Inspector-General reports on Everglades and Krome Arrests and use of force Deportations ICE recruitment Cybersecurity, privacy, and civil liberties In the courts (immigration and federal) DHS organizational culture The policy’s effects

Inspector-General reports on Everglades and Krome

Arrests and use of force

Cybersecurity, privacy, and civil liberties

In the courts (immigration and federal)

DHS organizational culture

Border data released through August

Border Patrol's migrant apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border dropped 5 percent from July to August, a typical summer decline.

August was also typical of Trump administration-era trends:

64 percent of apprehensions were of citizens of Mexico; 87 percent were from Mexico or Central America.

The Rio Grande Valley (South Texas) was the busiest of Border Patrol’s nine U.S.-Mexico border sectors.

88 percent of those apprehended were single adults.

“Trump Administration Delivers 16 Straight Months of Zero Releases at the Border” (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, September 16, 2026).

Aaron Kessler, Elliot Spagat, Humera Lodhi, Will Jarrett, “After the Border” (Associated Press, Associated Press, September 17, 2026).

Exclusive data reveals how unprecedented border crossings reshaped America

Exclusive data reveals how unprecedented border crossings reshaped America

Hannah Brewer, “New Big Bend Border Lawsuit Claims Unlawful ‘High Illegal Entry' Designation” (The Texan, September 15, 2026).

Lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection are mounting

Lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection are mounting

Alex Ford, Uriel J. Garcia, “What to Know About Possible Border Barriers in Big Bend” (The Texas Tribune, September 14, 2026).

The Trump administration has said the remote West Texas region needs measures to stop illegal immigration. But a bipartisan group of elected officials is pushing to halt that plan, especially in the national park

The Trump administration has said the remote West Texas region needs measures to stop illegal immigration. But a bipartisan group of elected officials is pushing to halt that plan, especially in the national park

Dante Motley, “‘Thank You, President Trump, but Stop': Big Bend Landowners Sue Over Border Wall” (The Austin American-Statesman, September 14, 2026).

West Texas families say the proposed border wall threatens ranches, Rio Grande access, family graves and ancient rock art

West Texas families say the proposed border wall threatens ranches, Rio Grande access, family graves and ancient rock art

Sam Karas, “Big Bend Landowners File Suit Over Border Wall” (Big Bend Sentinel, September 14, 2026).

A sixth lawsuit against the Trump administration was filed on Monday morning in District of Columbia District Court over plans to build border barriers across hundreds of miles of the Big Bend region –– this time, by a coalition of 230 landowners who face having their land seized by the government

A sixth lawsuit against the Trump administration was filed on Monday morning in District of Columbia District Court over plans to build border barriers across hundreds of miles of the Big Bend region –– this time, by a coalition of 230 landowners who face having their land seized by the government

Mary Cantrell, “Texas Landowners Sue Federal Government Over Border Wall Plans” (Morning Edition, National Public Radio, September 14, 2026).

A lawsuit filed Monday takes aim at federal agencies' use of waivers to expedite construction of a wall along the border with Mexico and claims that landowner's constitutional rights are being violated

A lawsuit filed Monday takes aim at federal agencies' use of waivers to expedite construction of a wall along the border with Mexico and claims that landowner's constitutional rights are being violated

Henry Brean, “Three Protesters Arrested at Border Wall Construction Site in Arizona” (The Arizona Daily Star, September 15, 2026).

Three people were arrested Monday after protesters dressed as endangered animals sought to disrupt border wall construction work in the San Rafael Valley, about 100 miles southeast of Tucson

Three people were arrested Monday after protesters dressed as endangered animals sought to disrupt border wall construction work in the San Rafael Valley, about 100 miles southeast of Tucson

Debra Utacia Krol, “Tohono o'odham Stand Firm Against Bigger Border Wall” (The Arizona Daily Star, September 13, 2026).

Learn about the Tohono O'odham tribe's efforts to secure the 62-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border, including barriers, partnerships with Border Patrol, and challenges faced. Stay informed on the ongoing border security discussions and community impact

Learn about the Tohono O'odham tribe's efforts to secure the 62-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border, including barriers, partnerships with Border Patrol, and challenges faced. Stay informed on the ongoing border security discussions and community impact

Stephanie Casanova, “Tohono o'odham Fight Border Wall on Sacred, Sovereign Lands” (High Country News, September 11, 2026).

Tohono O’odham Nation fights Southern Arizona border wall construction near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and on its reservation

Tohono O’odham Nation fights Southern Arizona border wall construction near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and on its reservation

Hannah Kass, Ryan Fatica, “Treesit Blocks Us-Mexico Border Wall Construction for Six Weeks in Arizona” (Unicorn Riot, September 10, 2026).

Since July 27, land defenders have been living in the ancient cottonwood trees they affectionately call “Grandmothers” along the U.S.-Mexico border near the old townsite of Lochiel, Arizona

Since July 27, land defenders have been living in the ancient cottonwood trees they affectionately call “Grandmothers” along the U.S.-Mexico border near the old townsite of Lochiel, Arizona

Aracely Lazcano, “Nonprofit's Expansion Plans in Limbo After Border Wall Notice” (Border Report, September 15, 2026).

Eric Gay, Valerie Gonzalez, “Border Wall Cuts Through Wildlife Refuge” (Associated Press, Associated Press, September 14, 2026).

Temporary Protected Status

Isabela Dias, “"A Sword of Damocles": Salvadoran Tps Holders Are in Limbo as Dhs Does Nothing” (Mother Jones, September 15, 2026).

They fought for protected status. Now they could lose it

They fought for protected status. Now they could lose it

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, “Trump Administration Throws Tps for el Salvador Into Limbo: Here's What You Need to Know” (American Immigration Council, September 11, 2026).

Despite being some of the most-vetted immigrants in the nation, most Salvadorans with TPS have no path to permanent status in the U.S.

Despite being some of the most-vetted immigrants in the nation, most Salvadorans with TPS have no path to permanent status in the U.S.

Andrea Castillo, Itzel Luna, “Confusion Over Protected Status Leaves Employers and Salvadoran Immigrants Scrambling” (The Los Angeles Times, September 10, 2026).

Thousands of Salvadoran immigrants nationwide faced uncertainty after the federal government failed to decide by a Wednesday deadline whether to extend or terminate their longtime temporary protections against deportation

Thousands of Salvadoran immigrants nationwide faced uncertainty after the federal government failed to decide by a Wednesday deadline whether to extend or terminate their longtime temporary protections against deportation

Tim Padgett, “We May Finally Know What Makes a Country 'Unsafe' for Tps Deportations: A Bromance With Trump” (WLRN (Florida), September 10, 2026).

Arelis R. Hernandez, Ted Hesson, “Protected Status Expires for Salvadorans Shielded From Deportation for Decades” (The Washington Post, September 9, 2026).

Immigrants from El Salvador were the first group granted temporary protected status. The Trump administration has been canceling the benefit for scores of immigrants fleeing war and disaster

Immigrants from El Salvador were the first group granted temporary protected status. The Trump administration has been canceling the benefit for scores of immigrants fleeing war and disaster

Annie Correal, Jazmine Ulloa, Madeleine Ngo, “Salvadorans to Keep Deportation Protections for Now, Trump Officials Say” (The New York Times, September 9, 2026).

Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador was set to expire on Wednesday. The Trump administration said it would make an announcement about the program’s future at the “appropriate time”

Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador was set to expire on Wednesday. The Trump administration said it would make an announcement about the program’s future at the “appropriate time”

Jesse Bogan, “Salvadorans' Tps Remains in Effect for Now, Dhs Announces” (The Marshall Project, September 9, 2026).

Salvadorans who are in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status program now face an uncertain future, as TPS expires on Sept. 9

Salvadorans who are in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status program now face an uncertain future, as TPS expires on Sept. 9

Nathalye Cotrino, ““They Will Kill Me”: Haitian Deportees From U.S. Face Fear, Uncertainty” (Human Rights Watch, Just Security, September 16, 2026).

Haitians deported from the United States face the threat of widespread gang violence, poverty, and instability

Haitians deported from the United States face the threat of widespread gang violence, poverty, and instability

Sergio Martinez-Beltran, “For Thousands of Haitians in the U.S., End of Protected Status Brings Fear, Grief and Defiance” (National Public Radio, September 15, 2026).

Haitians in the U.S. lost their Temporary Protected Status under Trump's immigration crackdown. Now facing deportation to a homeland wracked by gang violence, disease and extreme poverty, Haitians in Miami are meeting the moment with grief, anger, and courage

Haitians in the U.S. lost their Temporary Protected Status under Trump's immigration crackdown. Now facing deportation to a homeland wracked by gang violence, disease and extreme poverty, Haitians in Miami are meeting the moment with grief, anger, and courage

Amanda Pechy, “Governo Trump Deporta Crianca Brasileira para o Haiti; Bebe de 3 Anos Estava No Voo” (Veja (Brazil), September 10, 2026).

Famílias estavam entre os 57 passageiros a bordo de avião que deixou os EUA rumo à nação assolada por violência no final de agosto

Famílias estavam entre os 57 passageiros a bordo de avião que deixou os EUA rumo à nação assolada por violência no final de agosto

Frances Robles, “Deported From the U.S., Some Haitians Are Left Broke and Stranded” (The New York Times, September 6, 2026).

Hundreds have been deported to Haiti in recent weeks, and some say they have been left with no money, no protection from gangs and no place to go

Hundreds have been deported to Haiti in recent weeks, and some say they have been left with no money, no protection from gangs and no place to go

Juhakenson Blaise, “Rights Advocates Warn Mass Deportations Are Worsening Haiti's Humanitarian Crisis” (The Haitian Times, September 5, 2026).

The Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees says Haiti lacks the resources to receive and reintegrate the tens of thousands of Haitians forcibly returned to the country. Meta Description: The Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees said nearly 200,000 Haitians were forcibly returned through August as Haiti struggles to receive and reintegrate deportees amid a rampant humanitarian crisis

The Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees says Haiti lacks the resources to receive and reintegrate the tens of thousands of Haitians forcibly returned to the country. Meta Description: The Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees said nearly 200,000 Haitians were forcibly returned through August as Haiti struggles to receive and reintegrate deportees amid a rampant humanitarian crisis

Adrian Carrasquillo, “Trump Took His Status. Ice Took His Dignity. He Took His Life.” (The Bulwark, September 4, 2026).

This promising young Haitian immigrant was humiliated and tormented until he lost hope

This promising young Haitian immigrant was humiliated and tormented until he lost hope

Third-country deportations

“Onu Pide a Eeuu Detener Expulsion de Inmigrantes a Paises Donde Pueden Correr Peligro” (EFE, Tal Cual (Venezuela), September 7, 2026).

Tutu Alicante, “America Sent Them Into a Dictatorship's Torture Chambers, Then Looked Away” (EG Justice, Just Security, September 17, 2026).

The United States is deporting third-country nationals to Equatorial Guinea despite its documented pattern of human rights abuses

The United States is deporting third-country nationals to Equatorial Guinea despite its documented pattern of human rights abuses

Camilo Montoya-Galvez, “Latin American Migrants Deported by Ice to West Africa Describe Being Stranded "On the Other Side of the World"” (CBS News, September 15, 2026).

CBS News traveled to Liberia to speak to some of the Latin American deportees banished to Africa under President Trump's immigration crackdown

CBS News traveled to Liberia to speak to some of the Latin American deportees banished to Africa under President Trump's immigration crackdown

““Tememos Ser Secuestrados” Denuncian Nicas Deportados a Republica Centroafricana” (Confidencial (Nicaragua), September 13, 2026).

Dos de tres nicas deportados a África relatan el abandono y temores que sufren desde un albergue en uno de los países más peligrosos de ese continente

Dos de tres nicas deportados a África relatan el abandono y temores que sufren desde un albergue en uno de los países más peligrosos de ese........

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