Although no official count of the dead or missing exists, 69 possible migrants died in Juárez between the first of the year and Nov. 7, Simerman reports. Of those, 14 have yet to be identified. Migrants face violence from "coyotes" and kidnappers. 

Following pressure from victims’ families, NGOs and international humanitarian groups, Mexico in recent years has implemented laws and policies related to migrant deaths and disappearances. But resources are not sufficient, and families seeking answers often must do a lot of work themselves. 

Separately, in the United States, human rights groups at the border and elsewhere are denouncing the possibility that lawmakers will reduce protections for migrants in exchange for approving foreign aid, Pablo De La Rosa of Texas Public Radio reports. "The border is not a bargaining chip," said Ricky Garza, Border Policy Counsel for the Southern Border Communities Coalition. 

Jeff Zients, the White House chief of staff, is now directly involved in the Senate conversation, Joseph Zeballos-Roig reports this morning in Semafor. 

Welcome to Tuesday’s edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Dan Gordon, the Forum’s strategic communications VP, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Jillian Clark, Clara Villatoro, Isabella Miller and Katie Lutz. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected]. 

VIRTUAL WALL — Border security via autonomous towers is expanding, Russell Contreras of Axios reports. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has mapped about 300 types of towers installed along the southwest border. The technology has had support from CBP officials and both Republicans and Democrats, Contreras notes. 

ALLIES — The State Department is stepping up efforts to bring additional Afghan allies to the U.S., Phillip Walter Wellman reports in Stars and Stripes. A flight transporting allies from Kabul to American bases in Germany arrived last month, the first such flight since 2021. The State Department hopes to process the Special Immigrant Visa applications within 30 days.  

CLIMATE — As the U.N. climate conference wraps up today, Kevin Clarke of America reports on farming communities in Honduras that are grappling with the effects of climate change. Erratic weather is jeopardizing livelihoods and compelling migration, he reports. As environmental migration gains attention, take a look at the Forum’s new resource — including possible solutions. 

CROSSROADS — Interpol rescued 163 suspected victims of human trafficking as part of an annual operation targeting trafficking and smuggling operations, reports Daniel Trotta of Reuters. Agents encountered migrants from 69 countries in the operation, which shed light on Brazil as a crossroads for migration — and bad actors. "[T]his major migration corridor … has become the target of organized crime groups from around the world," Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock said in a statement.   

CONTRIBUTIONS AT RISK — Physician and DACA recipient Sharjeel Syed writes in The Dallas Morning News about how his contributions to his community and the medical field could be in jeopardy. Syed utilizes his fluency in Urdu to bridge communication gaps in medical care — a growing necessity in the field. His uncertain status also restricts his ability to research blood disorders and cancers. "[W]hen we limit potential doctors, teachers and leaders, we limit America’s future," he concludes. 

Thanks for reading,