Nicaraguans Reportedly Among Top In Number Of Migrants Arriving In US Border

A new report released on Friday shows that Nicaraguan migrants have increased across the board in the past year, an intensifying immigration crisis in the United States that is exacerbated by the political turmoil happening in the country under President Daniel Ortega.

The report has shown that Nicaraguans come second to Cubans in attempted border crossings in November. Reportedly 34,209 were stopped by authorities in November, a sharp increase from the 20,920 stoppings back in October, according to the Associated Press.

By the end of November of this year, more than 180,000 Nicaraguans have been reported to have attempted to cross the border for the year 2022, which is 60 times the number that it was in the same time period two years ago, The Hill reported.

Many have attributed the increase of migrants originating from the country over a declining economy as well as the repressive rule of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who has been criticized by the U.S. for jailing opposition leaders and suppressing free press in the country.

“Long unpopular and now without a democratic mandate, the Ortega and Murillo family now rule Nicaragua as autocrats,” U.S. President Joe Biden said at the time.

The U.S. has found itself suffering from an immigrant crisis in its borders as countries in Latin and South America continue to be destabilized by political battles and a declining economy largely attributed to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many, like Nicaraguan migrants, are reportedly attempting to cross the border illegally through El Paso, Texas.

Many migrants seeking for a better life in the U.S. have been prevented from doing so through Title 42, which allows for authorities to deny migrants asylum due to a public health emergency. Though it was expected to end by December, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts put a temporary hold on the matter to keep it intact.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan migrants which were typically seen often in the past attempting to cross the U.S. border has decreased significantly after a deal with Mexico allowed the acceptance of those who were expelled under Title 42 to the country.