A surge in migrant encounters at the southern border has raised concerns as the number of illegal crossings has already surpassed 200,000 for the month of December. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources have reported an average of over 10,000 encounters per day, with still more than a week left in January. This surge comes on the heels of a year that saw multiple records broken for daily and monthly encounters, with over 2.4 million encounters recorded in FY23.
According to sources, December has the potential to break last year’s record of 252,000 encounters if the current rate of 10,000 encounters per day continues. The situation has become increasingly challenging for Border Patrol agents, who are reportedly outnumbered at a ratio of approximately 200:1 with migrants.
Recent incidents have highlighted the severity of the issue. In Lukeville, Arizona, over 700 illegal immigrants, including large numbers of adult males and families from Mexico and Ecuador, were intercepted during another mass crossing. This prompted Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to mobilize the National Guard in an effort to assist federal officials and reopen the Lukeville port of entry. Similarly, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken measures to address the crisis by flying migrants into “sanctuary” cities, as well as signing an immigration bill aimed at curbing illegal immigration.
The Department of Homeland Security has also revealed alarming statistics, stating that around 670,000 illegal immigrants managed to evade Border Patrol agents in FY23. Additionally, an average of 5,000 illegal immigrants are being released each day to non-governmental organizations. The Biden administration has implemented various measures to address the crisis, including expanding lawful pathways for certain groups of migrants and increasing consequences for illegal entry. However, Republicans argue that stricter asylum limits and enhanced border security are necessary.
The administration has requested $14 billion in border funding from Congress as part of a broader $106 billion supplemental funding request. However, lawmakers are currently debating the proposal, with Republicans pushing for greater limits on humanitarian parole and higher asylum standards. While the Biden administration has shown openness to a Title 42-style authority and increased deportations, it remains uncertain whether a deal can be reached due to opposition from both Democrats and Republicans.
Negotiations are ongoing, and lawmakers involved express optimism about the possibility of a deal. However, it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached before January. The situation at the southern border continues to be a significant issue, with the Biden administration emphasizing the need for additional funding and immigration reform legislation to address the hemisphere-wide crisis.
Adam Shaw, a politics reporter for Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security, can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter. Stay updated with the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews by subscribing to the newsletter.
