In December 2023, the U.S. southern border experienced an unprecedented surge in illegal migrant encounters, with Customs and Border Patrol sources revealing a staggering 300,000 incidents during that month alone. This figure represents the highest total ever recorded in a single month and marks the first time migrant encounters have exceeded 300,000, Fox News Digital reports.
The fiscal year, starting on October 1, had already seen more than 785,000 migrant encounters by the end of December, making it the highest first-quarter total in history.
Republicans attribute the surge to the Biden administration’s policies, particularly the reversal of Trump-era measures, while the administration argues that it is grappling with a broader hemispheric challenge, requesting additional funding and immigration reform legislation from Congress.
Officials in Texas have been dispersing migrants nationwide, leading to incidents such as a plane-load of migrants arriving in Chicago and busloads attempting to bypass New York City regulations. The mayor of Secaucus, New Jersey, reported that buses were dropping migrants at the train station to circumvent city regulations.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, part of a U.S. delegation to Mexico City, claimed they would commit to “orderly, humane, and regular migration.” However, discussions also touched on the potential benefits of granting legal status to certain illegal immigrants already in the U.S., including those protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order signed by President Barack Obama in 2012.
The joint statement emphasized efforts to address the root causes of migration, disrupt human smuggling, and encourage private investment while investing in ambitious development programs in the region. The overall situation at the U.S. southern border has become a focal point of political debate, with Republicans criticizing the administration’s handling of the issue and accusing it of neglecting its duties.
