Have seasonal patterns of people crossing the southern US border changed in recent years?
Data shows that recent trends in seasonal migration are becoming less pronounced, with less of a springtime peak of entrants crossing north into the U.S. for agricultural work. The Agriculture Department’s Economic Research Service has found that farmworkers have become more settled and are participating in less “follow the crop” migration.
Border Patrol statistics tracking attempts to cross into the U.S. illegally reflect the shift, particularly along the Southwest border where crossings related to seasonal farm labor are most common. In fiscal 2018, for example, the number of illegal apprehensions in March was 26,666—ranking 10th for the year. Furthermore, higher labor costs have led farms to continue to mechanize production and invest in tools that allow them to reduce labor needs.
