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Shocking news from Mexico: nearly 500 U.S.-bound migrants, over half of which were children, were discovered in a compound near Mexico City by officials from the National Institute of Migration. Unscrupulous smugglers often hide migrants in locations like this one until they can be loaded onto buses or trucks for transportation to the U.S. border.

This latest revelation comes amidst the country’s efforts to crackdown on illegal immigration, including the closure of migration offices on its border with Guatemala that previously granted temporary permits for travel north. Mexico’s southern neighbors have also implemented similar measures in an effort to “disincentivize” illegal immigration. But even with these efforts, a staggering 250,000 migrants crossed the treacherous Darien Gap from January to July 2023 alone, surpassing the total number of illegal immigrants who made the dangerous crossing in all of last year.

UNICEF predicts that the number of migrants crossing the 66-mile “swath of dense jungle” that straddles Colombia and Panama could nearly double by the end of the year, with a projected 400,000 migrants undertaking the perilous journey. Shockingly, many of these migrants are unaccompanied children. It is clear that illegal immigration is fast becoming an unprecedented crisis in our world today.

Of the 491 migrants discovered in Mexico, all but six hailed from Guatemala, with the remainder coming from Honduras. It is unknown how long these poor individuals were being held captive in this compound, but we can only imagine the horrific conditions they endured before being discovered. Thankfully, the National Institute of Migration transferred the migrants to its headquarters to provide them with much-needed food, water, and medical attention.

This alarming news should serve as a wake-up call to all individuals and governments worldwide. It is imperative that we take meaningful action to combat the scourge of illegal immigration before it spirals even further out of control. We must stand firm in protecting our borders and enforcing our laws to safeguard our citizens, our communities, and our way of life.