'Broken': America's border crisis with Mexico, explained | About That

The crisis at the U.S. southern border is set to be a major issue in the 2024 presidential election. More than two million migrants were apprehended at the Texas-Mexico border last year alone. Andrew Chang explains the complexities of the growing issue and what's dialing it up.
»»» Subscribe to CBC News to watch more videos: bit.ly/1RreYWS
Connect with CBC News Online:
For breaking news, video, audio and in-depth coverage: bit.ly/1Z0m6iX
Follow CBC News on TikTok: bit.ly/3TnHioe
Follow CBC News on Twitter: bit.ly/1sA5P9H
Find CBC News on Facebook: bit.ly/1WjG36m
Follow CBC News on Instagram: bit.ly/1Z0iE7O
Subscribe to CBC News on Snapchat: bit.ly/3leaWsr
Download the CBC News app for iOS: apple.co/25mpsUz
Download the CBC News app for Android: bit.ly/1XxuozZ
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
For more than 80 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.

[@kimberlygarrett1485]

Opportunity is not legitimate grounds for asylum.

[@iseeyouok3854]

There are no facts to this guy story it's totally opinion it's totally biased on what he feels and what he thinks there are no facts. The cartel is very powerful in Mexico

[@Daniel-zu4ck]

It's really funny because that's the reason America exists

[@kimberlygarrett1485]

@@Daniel-zu4ck timelines matter

[@ChristopherBrown-ps4pl]

It isn't, but living in a failed state that refuses to esure your physical safety from life-thetening drug cartels is. See Honduras.

[@ashleylaurenxo]

💯💯💯

[@Emmy-J]

I feel for these people but they cannot expect the US to provide for all the worlds poor just because they want better life. Many American citizens want a better life also.

[@WillyDusa]

Thank you Emmy

[@shari9721]

Undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars each year in taxes , state and federal- over $492 billion dollars in total taxes in 2019 alone !

[@teekbooy4467]

Economic migrants rather than refugees

[@Half_Man_Half_Bearpig]

I'm sure some are refugees and have legitimate safety concerns in their home doubtries, but obviously they're all going to say that. They often parrot the same phrases because they're coached by the cartel border coyotes.

[@TheAircool1]

The thing is, the majority of the people who immigrated to the US (and Canada for that matter) did it for economic reasons

[@kimberlygarrett1485]

US is not obligated to take the world's poor... opportunity and poverty are not legitimate grounds for asylum and we have our own poor and ppl in need of jobs here.

[@tomaso5434]

same issue here in europe

[@zenondekition.2520]

Native Americans who want to return to their country.

[@seb2549]

I am sorry but as a refugee myself i want to say that there should be no room for illegally crossing borders at all. In my case my parents applied from third country and waited for processing by Canada; USA and Australia. That included two interviews in the respective embassies and yes a health exam. It took almost a year. But that was the process and we were happy to do our small little part by following the process. Illegitimate/illegal border crossings bump legitimate asylum seekers who play by the rules down the processing que just because some people feel they are not going to play by the rules. Coming to Canada or any other country you may seek asylum in is a privilege not a right some people seem to think it is. Play by the rules, wait your turn, and yes that means being accepted or rejected based on the assessment of your specific case. Accepting those that keep violating rules and look for shortcuts literally teaches everyone else bad habits, because why would you play by the rules if that results in you being ignored and overlooked while illegal migrants get rewarded? On top of it. this fuels the human trafficking business. It makes no sense whatsoever on any humanitarian grounds to keep doing the same thing and expect different result. That is a definition of insanity :(.

[@Gunrayz]

Problem is the American immigration system is broken. Can take 14 years plus. Needs to be fixed but the right refuses to work with the left to fix it. Plenty of land and resources and jobs in USA for all of these people, especially hard working people willing to cross all that territory for an opportunity at a better life…those are the kind of people this country needs.

[@user-fi2bp8dx3u]

So if you were in Palestine, Darfur, a jungle of Colombia, etc, right now with your family, do you expect a family to go through what you are saying? Are you ok bro?

[@seb2549]

@@user-fi2bp8dx3u Please explain "expect to go through" what exactly? Follow the process, file documents, wait your turm? Do you think these people are better off paying $10K+ to smugglers?, families/parents buying the morning after pill for their teenage daughters because they know what will happen to them on that journey? Are you OK bro? Do you actually know what these people actually go through? Do you think the most needy people have a$10K to get out, ar you nuts? The smugglers pray on those that can afford to pay selling a fantasy of easy journey. Human smuggling is big $$.

[@seb2549]

@@user-fi2bp8dx3u Are these people from Palestine, Darfur or jungle of Columbia? Do a fact check bro...

[@user-fi2bp8dx3u]

@@seb2549 I am more worried about the Chinese pouring in than Latinos!

[@tinaisbister7480]

We can not save the all. Nor take them all

[@dalton54123]

“Fleeing corruption” where should Americans go to flee our corruption and lawlessness

[@michaelhuyge9881]

Canada, here we come 😉

[@jamiezhou5049]

The problem is if some states like new york say we will not report you for illegal stay they are encouraging people to come.

[@JadeMoniqueEvelynElizabe-kn3dd]

Not wise

[@llamaboss1434]

Yes, blue mayors and governors tried to set the national policy, now red governors are saying they will set the national policy, so there might be a succession crisis. FFS close the border and form ranks, law and order.

[@drummerdm1016]

They should seek asylum not invade a soak the taxpayers. How many countries do they go through to get here? This is insane and turning our country into a 3rd world country.

[@geniuskennard8016]

Thank Bubble Brain Biden.

[@willchavez1282]

Yup, it's over for you. Too bad you're gonna do nothing about it but cry

[@bairtube983]

​@@willchavez1282that's an immature comment. I'm actually debating on moving across the US to work for border patrol. I work with a charity now and a homeless outreach casework. Young men and women like me are looking to go and tend to the crisis ourselves.

[@DannyKoKo]

This is an excellent series, Andrew Chang

[@jacque4697]

It's crazy, biggest military in the world by far and no secure borders. What's the point of having a military or having a government for that matter. It's too late now. The US is toast.

[@archieizhellboye]

this is the 2nd time in the past 5 minutes i seen a comment like this... this factual statement confuses tf out of me, it just makes NO SENSE at all

[@sheemac2936]

Well, not to mention the people coming here without leaving. Expired visas, overstaying.

[@sammywong1]

Andrew Chang, why do you not feed the migrants from your own pocket

[@user-yn7pk1ut7i]

He does. Through his tax contributions.

[@Vin-fu1rm]

Free housing free everything. It is better to be non us citizens in USA

[@Deznuttz17]

Where’s our free housing? All American citizens need to be protesting in the streets

[@drvelocci]

And then u have the Canadian border guarded by moose and beavers and you have barely any problems 😭🤣

[@kamalpreet3815]

U r mistaken… Canada is being overrun

[@reeefrog]

its just beavers now, we had to cut the moose so we could send our money to other country's to protect their borders

[@drvelocci]

@@reeefrog omg ur right, forgot about the moose funding cuts to make room for more defensive bear and camel funding

[@manuelb5466]

Probably because the news doesn't really talk about. It may not be to scale as the southern border, but it is becoming a concern to some especially the drug smuggling.

[@ishazam5501]

I might be the minority here but we have a major boarder crisis , and it needs to be controlled more to prevent too many immigrants flooding into Canada.When infrastructure need to be in place before we accept the amount of immigrants we currently are. If not then we have what is happening today, lack of housing, homeless and not enough doctors.

[@macctosh]

no we have an immingration policy crisis. Canada willingly brings in "skilled" migrants to prop up the economy! They are the cause of a lack of housing. Who am I to complain I immigrated to Canada in 2006, maybe am part of the problem.

[@leonperez9405]

Oo that is a smart observation. Here is another: Why don’t you volunteer or dedicate your life to becoming a border officer or instead tackle the root of the problem and go to origin countries and work in reducing poverty, violence, etc?. Otherwise 🤫

[@w6pxt]

Send them to Biden house

[@Marlee_G]

The whole world thinks it’s the United States issue to take care of them and quite frankly, it’s f****** disgusting.

[@sparkle11231]

True! As if there are no other countries that could take some of these people in!

[@kimberlygarrett1485]

@@sparkle11231 the west is not responsible for the world's poor, they have no right to bespectacled to be allowed in any country

[@kimpinkham5804]

10,000000 sounds like an invasion

[@evalangley3985]

Well, Quebec now understand the situation because Montreal Trudeau airport became a HUB for asylum requesters who fly from Mexico since they don't need a Visa... Matter of fact, would you accept your neighbor to come inside of your house without your consent? I am pretty sure you will answer no...

[@xeero24]

Funny how we canceled sir John A Macdonald but an airport named after someone who was knowingly complicit in the residential schools still is allowed. Ummm right one was a liberal different rules apply.

[@joseitors8522]

They didn't need to. It's actually past tense. Since, Quebec got overwhelmed just from last year with 40K asylum requests, they recently requested to federal government to cancel this privilege to Mexicans and they just pulled the plug to them. Problem solved.

[@JadeMoniqueEvelynElizabe-kn3dd]

It’s too risky for Canada and its own people. Close the immigration asap. Like Finland and Germany finally did. Or we all experience collapse of the whole country and systems

[@theonh9365]

Just because you are flying out from USA, it doesn’t mean you are American citizens. If this is the case, illegal immigrants in USA can fly to EU without a visa which isn’t the case. The same thing for Mexican citizens in Canada, only Mexican citizens with a Mexican passport are visa waved. They can fly out from USA or anywhere and visit Canada temporary. So illegal immigrants who do not have a Mexican passport cannot enter Canada visa-free and even so it’s not technically visa free because you need to register yourself online which gives you a visa automatically if the system doesn’t block you.

[@chasl3443]

Powerful, important reporting. Thank you!

[@evalangley3985]

And the funny thing is that these people are losing their romantic aspect of living here when they realize how much rent cost in Canada and the USA... and become homeless...

[@c.f.okonta8815]

😂😂True

[@macctosh]

can you rent without documents? I guess you mean sublet

[@WillieFungo]

The migrants in the U.S. are given free everything including rent.

[@lindafinuliar4061]

They come to sanctuary cities and end up homeless

[@Cthomas5678]

Exactly so when the government stops paying for everything for them they will revolt

[@leelaylieu1239]

Get rid of joebama 😂he’s done enough of nothing

[@user-dl4pn3sj7q]

For me it's not about good or bad. We aren't even taken care of our own people in the US and now we once again are taking care of other countries and leaving our own people in the cold. Ridiculous

[@teslainthehood2521]

Rewarding Ppl that exploiting the asylum system is going to lead for more. They are also skipping the line compared to the one already here paying taxes that aren’t a burden on taxpaying Americans.

[@sherwinclarencego1933]

Now these non border states like New York can feel Texas problems. Best way to let them know of the problem is to make them feel it.

[@joyceprior1301]

they r putting their own children in danger and it's someones fault the family....birth control no one helped me when i had my kids get lost

[@ManuelChavez-mo7kw]

That is not our fault I should not come this way

[@milannikolic9921]

Just votes for Biden! That is why they are here!

[@DRPL766]

About That and CBC Marketplace are the only CBC programs that I follow

[@SuperOdin2009]

'Does the US have a border crisis'? What a dystopian way to begin an Op-Ed segment

[@thinkhine8866]

1 ,opened the boders 2 .USA laws has support illegal people 3.Apps and online .that is dangerous points in USA.

[@00001111henry]

Not only southern border and the cartel buying a plane to Canada 🇨🇦. Migrants crossing illegally northern borders.

[@FlyingYankee]

Everything is fine in Canada, eh ? 🇨🇦

[@Tini_Scrapitti]

The real crisis is south of the border. The US inherits the crisis due to its successful economy and administration. It could either be a problem or an opportunity, depending on government competence.

[@fsckool6894]

it's helping US avoid recession, like intl students influx was allowed in Canada to ease labour tightening.

[@silviualbisoru5749]

Shouldn’t you first talk about Roxham Where Road before being concerned about the US border ?

[@susanfoley8360]

The people who drowned should have stayed home.

[@roytallericoGunner]

Why isn't the USA using the army to patrol near the border to intercept Drugs..human trafficking ...and weapons? It would be good training for the army and to alot of good for America

[@michaelhuyge9881]

...Biden

[@Deznuttz17]

@@michaelhuyge9881Biden needs to be arrested

[@KillaSlotsK]

Canada is the same but we fly them in

[@idahardy4052]

If I wanted to work in another country, I would apply for a job and negotiate travel and passport details. I wouldn’t drag my kids through dangerous territory with people who might murder us just to get into a country illegally. Why aren’t the countries they’re coming from doing something about their own economies?

[@Cthomas5678]

I heard that since venazula let the violent criminals out of their prisons and they came here that their crime rate is way down!! Guess what we are looking at!! This summer is going to be very violent in these bigger cities. We can only imagine who is here. I’ve seen more young men than families needing help

[@idahardy4052]

@@Cthomas5678 idk but I thought the most violent criminals were in Venezuela’s prisons and the prison system had cracked down on Inmate behavior, too. But yeah I’m glad to live far away from any big city because I think you’re right about the violence.

[@wabiscotiapottery]

I had hoped you would cover the claim that a lot of people from Venezuela are criminals, and I've also heard that a lot of Chinese immigrants are "young, single men of military age". I'm interested to hear how you would address these claims. It seems like a dreadful environment for drug smuggling and human trafficking. If Canada was experiencing even half of this we would be crying to shut down our boarders too.

[@kimberlygarrett1485]

Not a claim here in the US.

[@graphdatascientist]

I did the same and now I am living in Toronto downtown enjoying the snow

[@sunrise1975italia]

Illegal immigration without documents and screening is like buying bushel of rotten apples, where you may find just few good.

[@TechFollower]

Don't waste people time please...if Canada can't do anything

[@ivannightly1919]

I can see both arguments but in the end a country can only support so much, there is no argument that people coming across basically unchecked is going to bring problems, are they every migrants fault of course not but do you really want the risk or the tax burden. feeding housing transporting people cuts real money to give some one a better life while bring your already in a poor state down not to mention the fact the impact is the worst on our poorest. being charitable is a nice kind hearted thing i think all people who support it should open their doors and house and feed them

[@truprophetsliveforever453]

why would I feel bad for a migrant that drowned? send them BACK

[@codymullins9387]

a child has no choice.

[@davidl242]

Why don’t the US add a new tax on people that support the illegal immigrations? If you believe the cause then make the sacrifice…. We believe in freedom and consequences. If i don’t want to shoulder the cost of illegals living off my taxes then I shouldn’t have to shoulder that burden. We will find out what people truly stand on this issue if there are consequences for themselves.

[@ZuyinLuy]

We live in Mexico near an area where you can see some illegal immigrants from all over the world and my kids one day ask me who they where as they always ask for money and food at every stop. Then I explained them… They are criminals trying to arrive to the USA border. Imagine one day you wake up and you see a person in our backyard asking for food and money so they can cross our garden and then cross all of our house without permission so they can invade our neighbors house just because they don’t like their own home. My kids both said at the same time … no way 😮😱 !!! And off course I explained them why I consider they are criminals and both agreed that if you enter someone’s home without permission then you become a criminal because you are braking the law 🤷‍♀️

[@NewYork0110J]

People coming from Asia by paying traffickers not because of fear but knowing this is best way to sneak and make money without paying taxes

[@yousseph777]

It's a self-inflicted crisis.

[@MadisonSosa-qs1bf]

We have been invaded too long Los Angeles American homeless rate is nuts yet taxpayers need to pay their money to give others the American dream when they could have made a way with the commitment that they have in their own country

[@MadisonSosa-qs1bf]

These people need to be stopped they have already invaded in Los Angeles

[@archieizhellboye]

3,000,000 plus backlog... WTF

[@ashleylaurenxo]

they’re a sanctuary city who wants them, no clue how thats targeting new york city when they literally asked for them & texas didn’t 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@CostumeJewelryHome]

Is anybody watching the 5,525 mile Canada-USA border?

[@isabelc2131]

That unreflected women saying 'we're not animals' tells you everything that is wrong with this world. Us, us and us again. You can treat animals like this without their consent and tell yourself it's fine. But as soon as a human is putting themselves willingly and consciously into a situation like that they're getting a pitty party. Just because you're 'hoping for a better life' doesn't entitle you to break into any country of your choice. People applying legally have to jump through hoops for the opportunity.

[@user-oz2jw8kv5j]

What a mess like all our “systems”. Red tape Mumbo jumbo

[@LiquidAnomaly]

This seems like a ticking time bomb

[@basilperdikakis7627]

Soon they will have that problem with the Canadian border as well....where housing is a weapon and corruption is the new 'business as usual".

[@JJtvee]

I didnt have a real care about it until it got out of control. My smaol toen has turned into Tijuana in less than 6 months. I didnt vote for this.

[@kimberlygarrett1485]

Shame on you for not caring that it was happening to your fellow citizens.

[@chatwithjat]

I love these series. Taking on very controversial topics, leaving comment section open, balanced.

[@AnthonyGarlic-tr9br]

Ice is on every one 🕐🕜🕐

[@markymar4w]

They need to stop coming and deal with our situation and pray for the good future with the Lord Jesus Christ father 🙏❤️

[@philschiavone101]

Anytime that you don’t control your border, you cannot know who crossed or their intentions.

[@AnthonyGarlic-tr9br]

They will always do this

[@user-yo5jx1kd4z]

Approximately 3,536 people drowned each year in pools and other non-boating-related accidents over a ten-year span in the United States. - CDC

[@ralphhudson6988]

so take a ride or walk through mexico with no restrictions. Is that maybe the first problem, thats a guess

[@sunshineandwarmth]

Could you please find the live ones and report them to the American authorities? My seniors have no refrigeration, no heat (we are in the NE), no electricity, bc they cant afford to pay. They have little food and it's poor quality. They have to live in very cheap places bc all they have is SS. Many dont have full SS bc they became disabled between 40-60 yrs of age. They live in apts where they have goods stolen when they go to the grocers. They have mail & pkgs stolen. They have household items stolen, often those that they need like a can opener. If they buy something that was broken, someone takes the new item & puts the old one in an obvious place. They have ppl in many places who spread false rumors so that nobody helps them. And you ppl are whining bc you want a better life? And you're taking it from these ppl & others like them. We can't be rude on TT, so i won't tell you what i think of you!🤬

[@kimberlygarrett1485]

Agree most citizens don't want their wages garnished to provide food, shelter, and healthcare for non citizens as they struggle to provide food, shelter, and healthcare for their own families. I doubt a single one of these people saying we should help have sponsored a family... they are hypocrites.

[@spankflaps1365]

America has regressed so far they still think they’re fighting the frontier war.

[@WillieFungo]

You don't know the first thing about the U.S. worry about Canadian immigration.

[@user-ld6wo4rv8h]

"We're not animals. We're human beings." LOL.... Humans are animals.

[@user-yn7pk1ut7i]

animals with highly developed conscience that can choose doing the right thing unlike the remaining animals with no conscience or conscience that is not as developed like humans

[@ChestnutFarmNursery]

Forget about the political aspect of Texas busing people to sancuary cites, I have to agree that the border states should not be the ones to bear all of the costs to the taxpayers there and lets face it the sancuary cities literally asked for it. We NEED to close the border until we can take care of our own people. How many American citizens are homeless and hungry? Why is our military protecting people in every country around the world except our own? I am disabled and collect a below poverty amount of money each month from a program I paid into for almost 30 years yet people can come across the borer illegally and get housing, food stamps, medical benefits and even higher education for free. These are all things I struggle to pay for. Can anybody please explain how any of uor elected people in Washington thinks this is right? They could fix this problem in an afternoon by closing the border and sending the military to protect it.

[@disasterrelief2356]

You wanna hear something good besides these nosey neighbors in the network? We are reviewing how we look after traveling or vacations.

[@jello530]

God bless Texas shout out from Arkansas we stand behind you

[@Samirustem]

9000 considering number of people migrating is less than one percent mortality. Doesnt sound that high

[@alfredohinojosi1898]

Just remember Americans where freedom and wellbeing started for (inmigrantes) some is the end for others (Americans)...becarful and good luck...

[@CaptArgo24]

the real problem is no one is fixing the root problem fix is so people won't have to flee to find a better life

[@ishazam5501]

So the US and Canada need to fix the world?

[@daniellamarche689]

Who's responsibility is that?

[@lilacbirman]

How do you fix another country? We have our own problems that are being largely ignored.

[@Adam.Langton]

@@lilacbirman I mean, the drug and cartel crisis in Mexico is fueled almost entirely by American demand.

[@freddytang2128]

How do you “fix” every developing country in the world? How do you want to make Honduras or Guatemala rich overnight?

[@LogicAndReason2025]

It is not possible for immigration to take jobs away. Just like with domestic birth, more people, means more commerce, which means even more jobs. How can anyone be so obtuse not to see this simple fact? Making documentation difficult for immigrants is the only thing that hurts the economy.

[@fitforlife5142]

Then stop coming

[@ralphnabozny8494]

no one wants to pay for the problam

[@jayjax3072]

Good job Andrew 😊

[@michellebui9519]

❤Trump ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@yolopistolo194]

Democrats fault

[@ashleylaurenxo]

KEEP IT UP TEXAS 👏👏👏👏

[@marden888]

illegal is illegal.

[@Half_Man_Half_Bearpig]

Stark contrast to actual journalism by, say, Channel 5, compared to armchair journalism that, for anyone remotely informed on the issue, tells us nothing new whatsoever.

[@osricdrakon3465]

Awe, the poor Texan is crying like a big baby. What happened to big defense budget. Maybe you need to redirect funds from the DoD since they're not doing their very job... defense.

[@vjcarter4657]

It is a war

[@1Fuunypawpaw]

I think Texas should bring a red dot order!

[@Salisky]

You know with how things are going in the economy, I think we should start making everything electric, starting with the border wall.

[@lindaschipansky4429]

Grid won't hold to everything being electric

[@kayjackson6465]

The border wouldn't be broken if biden had just leave it alone that's what happens when someone is in office don't know what their doing

[@nickdivincenzo2342]

Should Canada have an open boarder?

[@itssenpaitime7680]

Get them out

[@user-hl1it8dq7t]

Glory to God Jesus is Lord ✨🙏

[@cyndavis691]

Do it LEGALLY NOT ILLEGALLY!!!! VOTE TRUMP ❤

[@ShermaneKDor]

USA is a poor place

[@user-he4me3sv2t]

Sb4 All The Way....to all states. Trump, Abbot, De Santis All the way...😊

[@AnthonyGarlic-tr9br]

The 🌉✨⭐⌚ feast of 🎺🎺🎺 trumpets

[@johnsinglet575]

The surge is driven by poor governance and policy. The risk-reward decision to journey all the way to the US is tilted heavily towards reward. You cant blame these people, theyre incentivized to take the risk, this is on US officials.

[@kimberlygarrett1485]

Nobody told them that nothing is free?

[@michaelhuyge9881]

Trump 2024 & #FJB

[@MarkMills-vg8js]

We need Trump today

[@chica9386able]

Where do they go to the bathroom where’s all the toilet paper