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When a Trump-era immigration policy — known as Title 42 — expired last week, there were expectations that it would lead to an increase in the number of people coming into the U.S. through many of the country’s southern border towns.
In the past several days, though, that has not been a reality. In fact, there has been an overall decrease in border crossings so far.
Rudy Flores works in downtown Brownsville, one of the southernmost cities in the United States. It sits right on the border between Texas and Mexico. Often border towns get media attention when something happens with U.S. immigration policy. He says a lot of what he hears in the media often does not match his experience.
« They are making it seem worse than it is, » Flores said. « It’s just calm. They are just trying to get somewhere. »
In general, an increase in attention from media and policymakers during national debates over immigration policy causes some resentment among people who actually live along the U.S.-Mexico border. Flores says this time is no different.
« For me, nothing has changed even though I work downtown, » he said. « Just a little bit more traffic — foot traffic. But other than that, it’s normal to me. »
Brenda Gomez was born and raised in Brownsville and loves living there. She says that because it’s on the border, the city is a mix of Mexican and American cultures.
