Caitlyn Yates

Postdoc @UBCMigration | Fellow @StraussCenter | Views my own

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

I've just spent the last 6 months in migrant camps in Panama's Darien province.

These were the most inspiring & heartbreaking months of my life. Aside from the 1000s of people I met, I will remember the queues, mud, & number of mosquitos we endured.

For now, a few photos:

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

The May 2026 @StraussCenter Migration Dynamics report with @Sleutert is up.

In mid-April 2026, most land-based deportations halted.

However, several cities continue to report small numbers of Mexican & third-country national deportations

https://t.co/IsNH5inzl3

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

You can find the full report here: https://t.co/OTeGkhC7HM

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

In the @StraussCenter Feb 2026 Migration Dynamics & Conditions report, @Sleutert & I find:
🔒13+ months w/o access to asylum processing at U.S. border.
📈 Mexican border cities increasingly receiving third-country national removals.
🚧 New buoys/barriers in the Rio Grande Valley.

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

The August 2025 @StraussCenter Asylum Processing report with @Sleutert is out.

Asylum processing remains closed. Seven years into these quarterly reports, we estimate that roughly 6,600 migrants remain in Mexican border cities, the lowest # since 2019.

https://t.co/S1KP1ZkiR7

[Stephanie Leutert @Sleutert]

Slightly late, but the May 2025 @StraussCenter asylum processing report with @yatescait is now out!

CBP is not processing asylum seekers and the number of migrants waiting in MX border cities is dropping (less than 6,000 people border-wide).

https://t.co/cbYZzZBG0f

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

https://t.co/K3h1ryns1G

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

The May 2025 @StraussCenter Asylum Processing report with @Sleutert is out.

This is the 7th major enforcement and asylum policy change at the U.S. southern border since 2018 and the second phase where asylum processing has been almost exclusively closed at the border.

[Amb Antonio Garza @aogarza]

Much has been written over the past few weeks re: the impact of Trump’s #immigration raids on ag businesses. But in April, @yatescait & I wrote, “Expanding the #H2A visa program is the most sensible path forward to ensuring America’s food security.” https://t.co/UWYuObOJx8

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

Feliz de participar en este evento el próximo jueves, 17 de abril a las 12:00 pm (hora de Bogotá).

Estaremos platicando sobre el fenómeno de la migración inversa dentro de Panamá.

Para registrarse, escanee el código QR o siga el enlace aquí: https://t.co/Yud0VyZ962

[Amb Antonio Garza @aogarza]

The potential detention or removal of thousands of farm workers will lead to chain reactions of lost crops, skyrocketing labor costs and higher food prices. @yatescait and I argue for expansion of #H2A visas via @ExpressNews  https://t.co/dQEvkV3B7N @txbiz @NACD

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

Very pleased to share my latest op-ed in the @dallasnews with @aogarza.

We argue that expanding the United States' H-2A visa program is the best and most sensible path forward to ensuring the survival of American farms & America’s food security

[Labor Mobility Partnerships @labor_mobility]

🥗With an estimated 40% of U.S. farmworkers being undocumented, President Trump’s immigration policy priorities could have a direct impact on American food security.

⭐Read the latest op-ed from LaMP program officer Caitlyn Yates and Amb. Tony Garza.

👇https://t.co/6rKxlWRJZ8

[Labor Mobility Partnerships @labor_mobility]

🥗With an estimated 40% of U.S. farmworkers being undocumented, President Trump’s immigration policy priorities could have a direct impact on American food security.

⭐Read the latest op-ed from LaMP program officer Caitlyn Yates and Amb. Tony Garza.

👇https://t.co/6rKxlWRJZ8

[Amb Antonio Garza @aogarza]

With an estimated 40% of farmworkers in the United States being undocumented, President Trump’s #immigration policy priorities could have a direct impact on American food security. My and @yatescait oped via @dallasnews https://t.co/hLD3eKnrKD @whitecase #tarrifs #H2Avisa

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

The latest @StraussCenter Asylum Processing report is out. In it, @Sleutert and I chronicle:

1) The cessation of asylum along the US southern border since Jan. 20
2) The effect these recent policy changes are having on asylum seekers in border cities

https://t.co/H3tSoJCM4M

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

Thrilled to join Marilou Sarrut for this upcoming panel on our ongoing research on mobility through the Darien Gap.

To participate, you can scan the QR code below or click on this link to register: https://t.co/lTw7JnEeYE

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

The 25th @StraussCenter asylum processing report is out (@Sleutert).

We highlight:
1) CBP One's expansion into southern Mexico
2) Mexico's busing program under the new 'Emerging Safe Mobility Corridor'
3) Limited medical exemption cases in some cities

https://t.co/EvPVjZJfVs

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

Interested in labor mobility, quantitative research, and/or app development?

@labor_mobility is seeking a research consultant to support responsible recruitment practices for Guatemalan and Mexican temporary labor mobility programs to the U.S. & Canada.

https://t.co/RufHknksVT

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

Thrilled to have this @RefugeesIntl report with @r_schmidtke out where we trace the humanitarian needs and responses of migrants passing through both Panama and Costa Rica

[Refugees International @RefugeesIntl]

Humanitarian needs along the Darien will remain high for the foreseeable future as migration through the gap continues.

In our latest report, @r_schmidtke describes how Panama + Costa Rica can meet these needs and ensure that migrants’ rights are upheld.
https://t.co/djjbcLmNH2

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

You can find the full report here:
https://t.co/s1SaNQ7xsV

[Caitlyn Yates @yatescait]

The August 2024 @StraussCenter asylum processing report with @Sleutert is out. Three main takeaways:

1) CBP One app coverage expanded into southern Mexico

2) Wait times for appt. averaging up to 8-9 months

3) Walk up processing ended after Biden's June 2024 pres. proclamation