Impacting economies worldwide, COVID-19 is changing immigration patterns toward the U.S.

Historically, most immigrants crossing the U.S./Mexico border are from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

But from October 2020 to August 2021, almost 300,000 migrants came from other countries, reports the Wall Street Journal.

This new wave includes migrants from Ecuador, Nicaragua, Chile, Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, and Venezuela.

Haitians are among the fastest growing group of migrants reaching the U.S. southern border. 

About 28,000 Haitians were arrested at the border from October 2020 through August 2021. 
That's six times as many Haitians arrested compared to the entire 2020 fiscal year, when 4,400 were arrested.

Many are saying the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the economies of the countries were they use to live. Migrants are headed to the U.S. for work and with the belief the Biden administration would accept them.

Millions of jobs have been lost across Latin America during the pandemic. 

Economists predict it won't be until around 2023 when Latin America returns to pre-pandemic levels.

While the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has adjusted their economic growth forecast for this year to 5.9%, they warn long-term growth is uncertain. Although the region is expected to do better this year, some economies won't return to pre-pandemic levels.

COVID-19 vaccine progress is uneven across Latin America and some economies had structural issues impacting economic growth prior to the pandemic, says ECLAC.

A recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) indicates about 70% or more of net job creation since mid-2020 was in the informal sector — meaning these workers don't have access to social protections.

As COVID-19 hits all industries, especially informal jobs, the ILO warns the current situation could affect social and political stability and lead to emigration.

Economists and the International Monetary Fund recommend governments boost formal labor markets through programs and incentives for new formal jobs or contracts and benefits for existing formal workers.

COVID-19 vaccinations are progressing in Latin America but there is still a "severe vaccine inequality problem," according to a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) report.

Some countries could continue to see localized COVID-19 outbreaks "well into 2022," warns PAHO. 

The pandemic, coupled with previous social or political instability, is encouraging migrants to head toward the U.S. 

As thousands of migrants get stuck at the border, wait for processing and/or get deported, it's expected more are waiting to come. 

Many of these migrants are expected to be Haitians who have been living in Latin America since the 2010 earthquake. 

Panama expects 80,000 migrants to cross their borders by the end of 2021, reports CNN. 

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