In brief
Once a haven for seekers looking to cross into the U.S., Tijuana is witnessing a stark decline in migrant presence, with shelters now nearly empty and streets devoid of the usual crowds.
In the past, Tijuana thrived as a vibrant crossing point between Mexico and Southern California, housing many hopeful migrants. However, recent months have seen a significant drop in their numbers, transforming the lively town into a quiet shadow of its former self. According to Venezuelan migrant Lenis Mojica, who has been living in a local shelter, “People aren’t coming here.” The surge of people that once filled the streets with aspirations for asylum has vanished, leaving warehouses of abandoned tents. In fact, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a dramatic decrease in migrant apprehensions, plummeting from 129,000 in April 2024 to just over 8,300 in April 2025. This downward trend began before President Trump was inaugurated and has accelerated since, with heightened immigration enforcement leading many to reconsider their plans for crossing. As migrant routes diminish, the fate of those in search of a better life remains uncertain.
