All articles tagged with #illegal crossings
Illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2025 dropped to the lowest level since 1970, largely attributed to the Trump administration's strict immigration policies, marking a significant decline from record-high apprehensions under the Biden administration.
A member of the "Take Our Border Back" convoy, which set off to protest illegal crossings at the southern border, admitted that what she saw at the border was "not as bad" as she had expected. The convoy split to hold rallies in Texas, Arizona, and California, aiming to shed light on the dangers of open borders. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been in a feud with the Biden administration over immigration enforcement, with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of federal agents resuming cutting razor wire installed by Texas along the border. Abbott and 25 Republican governors have criticized the Biden administration for leaving the country vulnerable to unprecedented illegal immigration.
The "Take Our Border Back" vehicle convoy, opposing illegal immigration, plans to rally near the US-Mexico border at three points, aiming to draw attention to border security amid record high migrant crossings. Critics fear it could fuel anti-immigrant sentiment, while Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have called for more restrictive policies. The convoy has gained attention in right-wing media and is framed in religious terms, with concerns raised about potential extremist actions. The event comes amid a standoff between Texas and federal authorities over border security, with rising concern about immigration among Americans, particularly among Republicans.
Border negotiations for a border security framework that would unlock aid to Ukraine are still ongoing, but the majority of senators have already left town, pushing negotiations to January. Lawmakers will have just 10 days to pass FY 2024 appropriation bills when they return. Meanwhile, illegal crossings at the southern border hit a record high with over 12,600 migrants encountered in a single day. Republicans are refusing to pass additional aid to Ukraine without strict border security measures. Talks have been ongoing with senators and the Biden administration, but a deal is not expected this week.
The U.S.-Mexico border is experiencing a surge in illegal crossings, with large groups of migrants breaching the barriers erected by the Border Patrol. The Biden administration's immigration policies have come under scrutiny as the overwhelming flows of migrants and resulting chaos put pressure on Congress to reach a deal on asylum. The number of daily arrivals is unprecedented, with illegal crossings topping 10,000 some days in December. Arrests for illegal crossings have surpassed 2 million for the first time in the U.S. government's last two budget years. Solutions to the crisis require collaboration between multiple agencies and cooperation from Mexican authorities.
Border officials in Lukeville, Arizona, have closed the port of entry to cope with a surge of thousands of migrants camping out along the border wall, leading to a split-screen crisis. While the closure aims to focus resources on unlawful crossings, it has created a humanitarian emergency for migrants and an economic disaster for border communities whose livelihoods depend on the now-shuttered crossing. Gas stations, restaurants, and travel-insurance agencies have reported a 90% drop in business, and Mexican American families are struggling to commute, attend school, and care for loved ones on the other side. Arizona leaders from both parties have criticized the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis, with the governor threatening to send in National Guard troops if the crossing is not reopened.
The US has closed a border crossing in Texas to vehicles and limited traffic at another crossing in Arizona in response to increasing illegal entries. The closures and reductions in vehicle entries are aimed at shifting more resources to address the surge in migration along these routes. The Border Patrol's Tucson sector, which includes the remote desert crossing in Lukeville, has experienced a significant increase in migration in recent months. The move comes as the US continues to see heightened levels of migrant encounters at the Southwest Border, driven by smugglers spreading disinformation and preying on vulnerable individuals.
Arizona Border Patrol's decision to halt updates on the migrant crisis, following a record 15,300 illegal crossings in one week, has raised concerns of a cover-up. Chief John R. Modlin of Tucson made the announcement, prompting criticism from reporters and the public who rely on the agency's social media accounts for information. The surge in illegal crossings, including migrants from countries as far as Senegal, has overwhelmed processing facilities and led to migrants being released onto the streets. The situation has strained resources in border states, with southern governors sending buses to northern cities like New York, where Mayor Eric Adams has expressed concern over the financial burden and called for more assistance.
Border Patrol agents in Maine apprehended 20 Romanian nationals who illegally crossed the border in Hodgdon, Maine, with at least two individuals on a watch list linked to organized crime. The individuals were taken to a processing station, identified as Romanian citizens, and mostly consisted of family units. The two individuals on the watch list were sent for expedited removal. This incident adds to the increasing number of illegal crossings in the Houlton area, with this year already surpassing the combined number of apprehensions from the past three years.
Venezuelans have become the largest nationality arrested for illegally crossing the U.S. border, surpassing Mexicans for the first time on record. In September, Venezuelans were arrested 54,833 times by the Border Patrol after entering from Mexico, more than double the previous month. Overall, arrests of all nationalities entering from Mexico reached 218,763 in September, the second-highest month on record. The Biden administration recently granted temporary legal status to nearly 500,000 Venezuelans already in the U.S., while pledging to deport those who come illegally after July 31. Republicans have seized on the issue as a major campaign topic for the upcoming elections.
The United States has begun deportation flights to Venezuela in an effort to curb the record number of illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border. The deportations follow an agreement by the Venezuelan government to hold competitive elections next year, which allows the Biden administration to ease economic sanctions. The number of Venezuelan migrants crossing the border illegally has reached historic levels, causing strain on shelters in U.S. cities. Previously, Venezuelans faced little risk of deportation, but now the Biden administration plans to send multiple deportation flights per week to Venezuela. The administration has also expanded opportunities for Venezuelans to enter the United States legally, but those who crossed illegally after a certain date will be deported if they do not qualify for humanitarian protection.
President Joe Biden's administration has approved the construction of a new section of border wall in southern Texas, spanning approximately 20 miles, in an effort to address the increasing number of illegal border crossings from Mexico. This move contradicts Biden's previous promise not to build any more wall. The decision has drawn criticism from environmentalists, as federal laws, including the Clean Air Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, have been waived to allow for construction. The rising number of illegal crossings has become a vulnerable issue for the president, with over 245,000 crossings recorded this year in the Rio Grande Valley area alone.
Border Patrol agents processed over 200,000 migrants crossing illegally into the U.S. in September, marking the third highest number on record. The figures highlight the ongoing border crisis that the Biden administration is struggling to contain. The data does not include those who managed to enter without being apprehended. The fiscal year 2023 saw a total of two million illegal migrants intercepted at the border, the second highest annual figure on record. The administration has been allowing around 1,500 prospective asylum seekers to enter the country each day, but not all apprehended migrants are allowed to stay. The Department of Homeland Security acknowledges the need for Congress to modernize the immigration and asylum system.
A cargo train filled with migrants in Mexico was stopped nearly 150 miles from the southern border, as passengers chanted "Let us continue." Despite the U.S.'s message to migrants not to come, overwhelming numbers of illegal crossings continue to occur. Border patrols along the southern border have faced more than 35,000 migrant encounters between Friday and Monday, averaging nearly 9,000 encounters per day. Texas has been operating a busing program to transport migrants to "sanctuary cities" to alleviate the burden on border towns.
A video captured a FerroMex train filled with migrants heading toward the US southern border from Zacatecas, Mexico, despite warnings from the US government. Border patrols are facing overwhelming numbers of illegal crossings, with Ajo, Arizona experiencing 2,000 illegal crossings a day. Last month, over 20,000 migrants were in Border Patrol custody in the Rio Grande Valley sector. The Biden Administration is considering a plan to force migrants to remain in Texas while they await asylum screening, potentially using ankle bracelets to track their location. Texas has been busing migrants to "sanctuary cities" to alleviate the burden on border towns.