Congress Struggles to Reach Deal on Border Legislation as Migrant Gotaways Soar
In a concerning development, sources at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection have revealed that there have been over 96,000 “known gotaways” at the southern border since the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1. These individuals, who were detected or seen by agents, managed to evade capture and disappeared into the U.S. This alarming figure indicates that more than 800 individuals per day are illegally crossing the border without being apprehended.
This news comes after CBP sources reported a staggering 300,000 migrant encounters in the last month of 2023, making it the highest total for a single month ever recorded. Between December 1 and 31 alone, over 302,000 migrants attempted to cross the U.S. southern border, surpassing the 300,000 mark for the first time in history. Since the beginning of the fiscal year, more than 785,000 migrant encounters have been reported, marking the highest first-quarter total ever recorded.
The escalating border crisis has prompted Democrat Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas to issue a warning to fellow Democrats, including President Biden, that border security will undoubtedly be a top election issue in the 2024 cycle. Cuellar, who recently visited the border as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation, emphasized that the situation at the southern border is of great concern to voters. He urged President Biden to find a solution on border security, recognizing the political importance of addressing the issue.
The rising number of migrant encounters and the failure to effectively secure the border have caused widespread public disapproval. Cuellar highlighted the need for Democrats to pay attention to the sentiments of the American public, as polls indicate growing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
The urgency to address the border crisis is clear, not only due to its impact on national security but also because of its potential political ramifications. As the situation worsens, the pressure on President Biden to find a solution intensifies.
Overall, the border crisis and the record-breaking number of migrant encounters demand immediate attention and action from the U.S. government. Failure to address this issue adequately could have significant consequences for both national security and the political landscape.
