Migrants cite Mexican law as incentive for heading north

• The law came into force in late January, before a record number of children crossing from Mexico were intercepted by U.S. border authorities in March.

Why it matters: Both the U.S. and Mexican governments are trying to lessen the hardships for unaccompanied minors who see migrating as their best choice, but are struggling to handle the influx.

• The Mexican measure prohibits deporting underage unaccompanied migrants from Mexican territory if they are running for their lives, and promises the creation of special shelters meant for them.

Between the lines: Some of those children are being affected by the dangers along the way. In the recent case of a boy rescued in the desert by himself, his mother was kidnapped in Mexico, so he tried to cross alone.

What’s next: Vice President Kamala Harris said she’ll be visiting Mexico and Guatemala soon, while Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador will travel to his country’s southern border to talk to local politicians about ways to combat smuggling that affects children.

• The Biden administration also faces a possible increase in crossings because of lawsuits against immigration measures, including a Trump policy of quickly expelling adults who crossed over illegally.