In a record-breaking year, U.S. border agents encountered over 3.2 million illegal aliens at America’s borders, surpassing the combined population of Hawaii, Alaska, and Vermont. The figures were released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the fiscal year between October 2022 and September 2023. It equates to approximately 8,770 encounters a day.
The data revealed that CBP encountered 434,562 more illegal aliens compared to the previous fiscal year, highlighting a worrying trend. Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow for The Heritage Foundation, expressed concern over the Biden administration’s border policies, stating, Once again, the Biden administration has the distinction of setting a record – unfortunately, it’s historically bad.
Notably, September marked a significant increase in encounters, with 341,392 reported at the southern border alone. This translates to around 11,379 encounters per day, making it the highest number of inadmissible aliens ever recorded. Hankinson described September as a bleak milestone in U.S. history and the annals of governmental incompetence, citing unprecedented levels of both southern and northern border encounters.
Further scrutiny is being placed on the increase in crossings by foreign nationals from countries with links to terrorism. According to data obtained by Fox News, there were apprehensions of nationals from Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, and Syria, raising concerns about national security.
The Biden administration has faced criticism from various quarters. While the White House initially commended President Biden’s efforts to secure the border and rebuild a more humane immigration system, recent polls indicate dissatisfaction among Americans. A Fox News poll showed that 66% of registered voters disapprove of Biden’s handling of border security, with 71% believing that the current level of security is insufficient. Additionally, 57 out of every 100 surveyed expressed support for building a wall along the Mexican border.
The report released by the House Judiciary Committee further sheds light on the situation. The data suggests that at least 3.8 million illegal aliens have either been released into the United States or successfully evaded Border Patrol agents since Biden assumed office. This number surpasses the population of 22 different states and the District of Columbia.
The Biden administration’s stance on the border wall has also undergone changes. While President Biden stopped the construction of the wall upon taking office, claiming that no further funding would be allocated, plans have been announced for an additional 17 miles of border wall in Texas. Biden cited the appropriation of funds under the previous administration as a reason for being unable to halt construction.
With concerns over national security and border control, the Biden administration faces pressure to address the growing number of illegal border crossings. As the numbers continue to rise, the effectiveness of current policies will undoubtedly remain under scrutiny.
