Situational awareness: Michael Bloomberg won't run for president.
D.C. readers: You're invited to Mind the Skills Gap this Thursday at 8 am. Join Axios' Kim Hart for a look into the role policy, business and education leaders play in offsetting the skills gap.
- The lineup: Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers; Rob Falzon, vice chair of Prudential Financial; and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. RSVP.
1 big thing: The new border crossing surge

A wave of asylum-seekers from central America has driven unauthorized border crossings back to Bush-era numbers while President Trump pushes his national emergency to free up funds for border fencing.
- Border patrol officials picked up or turned away 76,325 immigrants at the southern border last month, Axios' Stef Kight reports.
The big picture: "For the fourth time in five months, the number of migrant families crossing the southwest border has broken records," per the NYT.
- The total number of people apprehended since October has risen 90% over the same stretch last year, NPR notes.
- Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan: “The system is well beyond capacity, and remains at the breaking point."
Why it matters: The majority of these immigrants are families or unaccompanied minors, many of whom are seeking asylum, Stef emails.
- In the past, Mexico has been the most popular country of origin for immigrants coming across the border.
- Now, 96% of apprehended family members so far in FY 2019 have come from Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador, as well as 83% of unaccompanied minors.
- These immigrants are fleeing nations suffering from poverty, widespread violent crime and some of the highest murder rates in the world.
The bottom line: "The high number of families crossing the border suggest that President Trump’s policies aimed at deterring asylum seekers are not having their intended effect," the Times reports.
Chart du jour: What the kids aren't doing
America's teens are far less likely to engage in the risky behaviors of their parents, Stef reports.
2. What you missed
- FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is resigning, after spearheading a crackdown on electronic cigarettes and helping to lead the administration's response to the opioid epidemic. Go deeper.
- Long-term measles vaccine study shows no link with autism — again. Details.
- The U.S. deficit grew 77% in the first 4 months of the 2019 fiscal year. Go deeper.
- The first-ever all-female spacewalk is scheduled to take place on March 29 and will feature astronauts Anne McClain and Christina Koch, NASA confirmed today.
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized "the extent" of House reprimands against fellow freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has been accused of using anti-Semitic stereotypes in her criticisms of Israel. Go deeper.
3. 1 $$ car
Bugatti's newest car, the one-of-a-kind La Voiture Noire, ran $12.5 million before taxes, selling to an unnamed buyer, according to multiple media reports today.
- Bloomberg: "[S]peculation points to former VW Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Ferdinand Piech as the new owner."
Why it matters: It's the most expensive car ever made.