What the illegals understand

What is the reason for the wave of Central American illegals infiltrating the United States through the Rio Grande Valley in the past few years? It’s past time to get a clue, as the wave shows no signs of abating.

I think the wave reflects an astute understanding of our immigration law and of the enforcement preferences of the Obama administration (they’d prefer not to). Brian Bennett’s intensely reported Los Angeles Times article took a close look at the question and provided some support for this suspicion, or at least its first prong.

Congressmen speaking to the issue last week cited a confidential law enforcement report that providing the results of interviews with the illegals on this question. It turns out that the report derives from the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) and is dated July 7, 2014. As it turns out, it provides support support for the second prong of the suspicion.

Brandon Darby has got his hands on a leaked copy of the report and posted it here. Darby notes that the leaked EPIC report discusses the motivational factors of the illegal immigrants in their choice to migrate to the United States and quotes the following paragraph:

(U//LES) In late May, the U.S. Border Patrol interviewed unaccompanied children (UAC) and migrant families apprehended in the Rio Grande Valley. Of the 230 total migrants interviewed, 219 cited the primary reason for migrating to the United States was the perception of U.S. immigration laws granting free passes or permisos to UAC and adult female OTMs traveling with minors. Migrants indicated that knowledge of permisos was widespread across Central America due to word of mouth, local, and international media messaging—prompting many to depart for the United States within 30 days of becoming aware of these perceived benefits, according to the same reporting.

Darby also quotes this:

(U//LES) A majority of migrants interviewed also noted that they had encountered family units, consisting of a mother and child under the age of 18 during their journey to the United States and that the families had indicated they planned to surrender to U.S. authorities because they were informed that they would likely be released.

The whole thing, redacted to protect source material citations, names and contact information) is here.

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