Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources tell Fox News that the number of migrants at the southern border in December topped the record for monthly encounters. This comes as officials from the United States and Mexico met this week to explore the advantages of “regularizing” individuals who are in the country illegally.
December has reportedly seen the largest number of migrant interactions ever, with over 276,000 reported so far, according to sources.
When officials saw 269,735 contacts in September, the previous record was set. The figure comprises migrants coming at ports of entry through the CBP One app as well as undocumented immigrants encountered in between ports of entry.
This indicates that the first quarter of FY 24 was the biggest quarter on record, with over 760,000 migrant interactions at the southern border since the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. Since October 1, there have been 82,000 documented escapes. In the past 24 hours, there have been over 9,400 interactions, of which over 8,000 have resulted in a release with a Notice to Appear.
It brings an end to a year at the southern border when numerous records have been shattered and the Border Patrol has been continuously overrun by the volume of people they are encountering.
Republicans have attributed the spike to administration actions, particularly the removal of Trump-era measures, but the administration maintains that it is facing a crisis on a hemispheric scale and that further funds and immigration reform legislation from Congress are necessary.
It has taken a more aggressive stance against smugglers, increased the penalties for unlawful immigration, and expanded “lawful” migration routes. This month, a DHS representative told Fox that between May and November’s conclusion, there had been 400,000 removals, which is almost equal to the total number of removals during FY19.
Legislators have been informed by officials, though, that they are letting in 5,000 illegal immigrants per day; this figure does not include those who are granted parole at the ports of entry.
As part of the emergency supplemental funding request, the White House is currently seeking $14 billion in funds for the border; however, this request has stagnated as Republicans demand further limitations on asylum and the government’s use of parole to halt interior releases.
As part of a U.S. team visiting Mexico City this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas met with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
The nations reaffirmed their pledges to “orderly, humane, and regular migration” in the joint declaration, emphasizing their efforts to address the “root causes” of migration, stop human smuggling, encourage private investment, and fund “ambitious development programs” in the area.
However, the statement also stated that representatives talked about the “benefits” of giving legal status to illegal immigrants who are already in the country, such as those who are covered by President Barack Obama’s 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order, which protected certain illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors.
A joint statement stated that the delegations will reconvene in January. “The delegations also discussed the benefits of regularizing the situation of Hispanic migrants who have been undocumented for several years and the DACA beneficiaries, who are a vital part of the US economy and society,” the statement said.
Republicans swiftly criticized that, stating that such actions would only make the situation worse.
“At a time when America is experiencing the worst border crisis in our nation’s history, it is unconscionable to hear the Biden Administration’s announcement that Secretaries Mayorkas and Blinken discussed with the President of Mexico amnesty for illegal immigrants,” House Speaker Mike Johnson stated. “The United States must focus on policies that deter — not attract — people attempting to come here illegally, and the smugglers who profit from the catastrophe at our border.”
“This event indicates even more that the Administration’s policies have created a humanitarian catastrophe and an urgent national security problem, neither of which it intends to address.
It is imperative that President Biden put an end to his vacation and move quickly to stem the tide of illegal immigrants into our nation. The American people demand it, and our security and sovereignty depend on it,” he stated.