Record-breaking surge in migrant encounters at US southern border as fiscal year ends

Migrant encounters at the US southern border reached an all-time high of 269,735 in September, including 218,763 Border Patrol arrests and 50,972 expulsions at ports of entry. This brings the total number of encounters for the 2023 fiscal year to 2.48 million, the highest on record. Venezuelans became the largest nationality arrested for illegal border crossings, with 54,833 arrests in September. The surge in migrants highlights the humanitarian crisis at the border and poses a political challenge for President Joe Biden. The Biden administration is working to address the issue by surging resources and personnel, preparing for direct repatriations to Venezuela, and proposing additional funding for border security.