Families crossing U.S.-Mexico border in near-record numbers

Family members attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in July at the second-highest level on record — with 70% of them crossing illegally, according to new government data.

Why it matters: The number of migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border ticked up overall in July after back-to-back months in which those numbers had started to fall.

While predictions of a rush on the border after pandemic restrictions ended never materialized, migrants continue to cross the border at high levels.

The reduction in arrivals in May and June had eased pressure...