U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources have revealed that over 23,000 “known gotaways” have been recorded since the beginning of the new fiscal year on October 1. This means that more than 1,000 individuals have been seen or detected by Border Patrol agents, but have not been apprehended, on a daily basis this month. These figures have raised alarm among border officials as they highlight the rate at which people are illegally crossing the border and disappearing into the interior of the United States. The concerning aspect is that American authorities have no information about the identity, origin, or motive of these estimated 1,000 individuals who enter the country each day.
Adding to the worries, a monthly update released by the CBP on Saturday disclosed that 18 individuals on the FBI’s terror watchlist were arrested in September, making it a record year for such encounters at the southern border. In the past 12 months, 169 people on the FBI terror watchlist were encountered between ports of entry at the southern border, exceeding not only the previous fiscal year’s record of 98 encounters but also the total encounters of the last six fiscal years combined.
The report from the U.S. Border Patrol in September recorded 218,763 encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border, further exacerbating concerns. In response to these high rates of encounters, CBP has increased resources and personnel, engaging with domestic and foreign partners to address the issue of migration and enforce consequences, including preparing for direct repatriations to Venezuela.
Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner, stated, “CBP will continue to remain vigilant, making operational adjustments as necessary and enforcing consequences under U.S. immigration law.” He also highlighted the need for supplemental funding to provide additional resources, including more CBP agents and officers, to manage border and migration issues and combat the influx of dangerous drugs.
The situation at the border has become a critical concern for the Biden administration, as the number of individuals illegally entering the country and the encounters with individuals on the terror watchlist continue to rise. Border officials are grappling with the challenge of addressing this unprecedented surge of migrants and ensuring the safety and security of the United States.
Danielle Wallace, a reporter for Digital, covers politics, crime, and police-related news. For story tips, she can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @danimwallace. Stay updated with the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to this newsletter.
