Irregular migration from countries outside of Latin America is one of the most compelling yet least understood trends shaping U.S. border policy today. This new, monthly tracker builds upon the Niskanen Center’s robust body of research on extra-regional migration flows, providing timely data visualizations that highlight emerging trends in irregular migration from China, India, and Russia—three key source countries with distinct migration drivers and dynamics.
The data collection methodology has been carefully tailored to reflect each country’s unique migration patterns: Russian encounters are primarily tracked at U.S. land borders and Mexico; Chinese migration includes notable incidents in the Miami sector; and Indian migration monitored across multiple transit points throughout the Americas.
These interactive visualizations are designed as dynamic tools for researchers, policymakers, journalists, and the public, offering real-time insights into shifting migration patterns. Each graph is updated monthly to maintain relevance for ongoing immigration policy debates.