Biden Administration : In a stunning turn of events, September 2023 witnessed a record-breaking migration surge along the U.S.-Mexico border, challenging the efforts of the Biden Administration to manage the situation. According to preliminary government data obtained by CBS News, over 200,000 migrants crossed the southern border unlawfully during that month, marking the highest level recorded in 2023.
A Persistent Challenge for the Biden Administration
Border Patrol agents reported approximately 210,000 apprehensions of migrants who entered the U.S. without authorization between official ports of entry, a significant increase from the 181,000 recorded in August. This surge highlights the ongoing challenge the administration faces in containing mass migration in the region.
September’s apprehension tally was the highest since December 2022 when 222,000 migrants were apprehended, marking the second-highest monthly figure on record. The all-time high was reached in May 2022 when Border Patrol reported 224,000 migrant apprehensions.
For only the second time in U.S. history, unpublished data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reveals that migrant apprehensions along the U.S. southern border surpassed 2 million, a concerning milestone. Fiscal year 2023, which recently concluded, witnessed a staggering 2.2 million total migrant apprehensions, rivalling the highest-ever annual tally of 2.2 million in fiscal year 2022.
Diverse Challenges
Apart from those apprehended for illegal entry, tens of thousands of migrants were processed at ports of entry last month. The Biden administration has been allowing approximately 1,500 prospective asylum-seekers to enter the country daily through official crossings, provided they secure an appointment through a smartphone app.
Notably, not all apprehended migrants are allowed to stay in the U.S. Some are given the option to voluntarily return to Mexico, while others enter a fast-track deportation process if they do not claim asylum or fail initial humanitarian screenings.
However, government figures reveal that most migrants have been released from U.S. border custody and instructed to undergo immigration court proceedings, contributing to a growing backlog of unresolved cases that can take years to process.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement acknowledging the fluctuations in migration patterns and the role of smugglers in exploiting vulnerable individuals. The Biden administration pledged to strengthen consequences against those entering the country illegally, citing over 250,000 returns or deportations of migrants since May.
Setback for Border Strategy of the Biden Administration
The surge in unlawful border crossings in recent weeks underscores the Biden administration’s struggle to curb unauthorized migration, despite previous successes.
The strategy of the Biden Administration, which combines expanding legal migration opportunities with stricter asylum rules for some illegal entrants, led to a temporary drop in illegal entries in June. However, the strategy’s prolonged impact remains inconsistent, particularly concerning Central Americans, Venezuelans, and migrants from other continents.
A notable factor in the recent surge is the influx of Venezuelan migrants escaping their country’s economic and political crisis. In mid-September, over 2,000 daily Border Patrol apprehensions were of Venezuelan migrants, a significant increase from the average of 713 in August.
The humanitarian crisis also extends to the Darién Gap, where more than 400,000 migrants, primarily from Venezuela, have crossed this year, doubling the previous record set in 2022, according to the Panamanian government.
A Humanitarian and Political Crisis
The unprecedented migration levels have strained resources in American communities, from large cities like New York to border towns like Eagle Pass and El Paso. New York City, in particular, has been required to shelter over 100,000 migrants, raising operational and humanitarian challenges.
Furthermore, the political pressures on President Biden regarding immigration and border policy continue to mount. While Republicans have criticized his immigration policies since early in his presidency, even some Democrats in communities housing migrants have begun openly criticizing the administration’s handling of border issues.
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