Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), provided a litany of possible reasons Sunday to The Washington Times about why there have been significantly fewer unaccompanied children and family units apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border so far this year compared to the same time one year ago.
As the principal source of research to support the organized anti-immigrant movement, much of CIS’ work is predicated on unethical methodologies designed to intentionally obscure information that belies the organization’s policy goals.
Vaughan’s possible reasons for the decrease include more migrants being interdicted in Mexico, or the possibility of smugglers’ operations being disrupted by violence in northern Mexico. Other smugglers may simply be “laying low,” Vaughan offered.
Vaughan then offered a caveat: “Without more information, it’s impossible to know for sure.”
The irony abounds when a representative from the Center for Immigration Studies, the “False-Fact Think Tank” as The Daily Beast described it last year, says they need more information before drawing a conclusion.
As the principal source of research and data to support the organized anti-immigrant movement’s nativist agenda, much of CIS’ work is predicated on unethical methodologies designed to intentionally obfuscate any information that belies the organization’s policy goals.
Whatever the reason for the decline in apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border, we should continue to provide the necessary resources to care for the children and families that do come. CIS’ work drives much of the obstruction that threatens those very resources.
Without more information from CIS regarding its methods and sources, some may find it impossible know for sure why anyone views its work as credible.