Border Trends, Metering, and the Supreme Court: What’s Really Happening

Last month, someone asked me why the border feels “busy” one week and “quiet” the next. If you’ve followed immigration news at all, you’ve probably had the same confusion. The truth is that border trends change fast — and small policy shifts can affect thousands of people overnight.

This week’s update from the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) helps break things down in a simple, clear way.

What WOLA reported this week

Source: WOLA border update

The update highlights three key trends:

• Border apprehensions leveled off in October.
• The “metering” system remains active at some ports of entry.
• The Supreme Court will hear a major case linked to asylum access.

What “metering” means in real life

Metering is when U.S. border officers tell asylum seekers they must wait because the port of entry is “full.” Instead of processing people as they arrive, officers set a daily limit.

This can force migrants to wait in border towns for weeks or months.

Why the Supreme Court case matters

The upcoming case will review whether the government can continue limiting asylum access this way. Depending on the decision, we could see:

• More people allowed to request asylum at ports of entry
• Fewer daily limits
• Changes to how CBP schedules asylum interviews

Asylum seekers and legal groups have argued that metering violates U.S. asylum law, which says anyone on U.S. soil can request protection.

What border numbers look like right now

WOLA notes that October crossings leveled off. That means numbers didn’t spike or crash — they stayed steady. This often happens when:

• Weather shifts
• Smuggling routes change
• New enforcement operations start

To track long-term patterns, check our resource page:

• Border Statistics

How metering affects families

During metering, families often sleep in shelters near the border. Some live in tents steps away from the port of entry, waiting for a chance to speak to an officer.

This can be discouraging and dangerous. But many feel they have no choice.

Quotes from the reporting

“In October, migrant encounters at the southwest border leveled off.” — WOLA

“The Supreme Court will hear a case that could decide the future of metering.” — WOLA

Where to follow official updates

Government sources for border data include:

• CBP Border Statistics
• DHS.gov

If you want more background

Check these BorderWire resources:

• Border Policy
• Know Your Rights