Illegal crossings low amid Biden-Harris migrant programs
CBP notes 55% drop in unlawful entries since Biden's executive orders
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released its latest report Tuesday, revealing that illegal crossings remained low and stable through September. In less than two years, nearly 1.4 million migrants have entered the U.S. lawfully under two Biden-Harris administration programs.
The CBP published operational statistics for fiscal year 2024 on Tuesday, including the update for September 2024. “CBP significantly increased enforcement efforts during Fiscal Year 2024, resulting in a substantial decrease in southwest border encounters,” stated Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner.
“We identified and responded to new threats posed by transnational criminal organisations exploiting vulnerable individuals. Measures were implemented to dismantle these operations and crack down on the smuggling of illicit opioids, including fentanyl, disrupting the supply chain of these deadly narcotics.”
Wonderful work, Harris. Border crossings are now lower than when Trump left office. pic.twitter.com/r2qtIQLG6P
— Agent Self FBI (@FraudWatch89) October 15, 2024
The report attributes a proclamation issued by President Biden on June 5 for a “meaningful decrease in unlawful border crossings – including a more than 55% decrease in encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border.”
The report also mentions that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed or returned over 160,000 individuals to over 145 countries between June 5 and the end of September. During this period, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted more than 495 international repatriation flights.
CBP highlighted the CBP One mobile app for asylum seekers at the southern border. Criticism has arisen over the app’s lack of vetting migrants. From January 2023 to the end of September 2024, over 852,000 individuals scheduled appointments at ports of entry through the app, according to the report.
The top nationalities processed with appointments through the app were Venezuelan, Cuban, Mexican, and Haitian. By the end of September 2024, over 531,000 nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) arrived lawfully on commercial flights and received parole under the program. The program processed over 111,000 Cubans, nearly 214,000 Haitians, over 96,000 Nicaraguans, and nearly 121,000 Venezuelans.
There are now fewer illegal border crossings than there were in the final months of the Trump administration. https://t.co/3h4zbQ13YE pic.twitter.com/vBHGYerrk3
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 18, 2024
Initially implemented for Venezuelans in October 2022, the program expanded to other nationalities in January 2023. It allows migrants to use the CBP One app to enter the U.S. on temporary parole for two years and obtain a work permit if they pass background checks and have a sponsor. This was part of the Biden-Harris administration’s strategy to expand “lawful pathways” and address the border crisis.
The program has faced strong opposition from Republicans, who accused the administration of running migrant flights. However, migrants must organise their own travel under this program. Republicans argued that the program abused parole, traditionally limited to urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Earlier this month, the Biden-Harris administration announced it would not extend the legal status of hundreds of thousands of migrants who entered the U.S. through the CHNV program, which was halted due to fraud discoveries. The White House commented on CBP’s latest report.
“Data published today by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows a drop in unlawful border crossings by more than 55% since the President’s new executive actions on June 4, reaching the lowest levels in over four years,” stated White House Spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández. “Encounters between ports of entry are lower than during the last several months of the previous Administration.” Hernández defended the statistics while criticising Republicans.
“For months, the Biden-Harris Administration collaborated with a bipartisan group of Senators on a historic border security agreement, adding thousands of frontline personnel to the border. Congressional Republicans voted against that agreement twice, showing they prefer playing politics to securing the border,” he said. “The Biden-Harris Administration has taken effective action, while Republican officials continue to do nothing.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How many migrants have entered the U.S. lawfully under the Biden administration programs?
Nearly 1.4 million migrants.
What did the CBP report say about illegal border crossings in September 2024?
Illegal crossings remained low and stable.
What was the impact of President Biden’s proclamation on border crossings?
A more than 55% decrease in unlawful border crossings.
How many individuals did the DHS remove or return between June and September?
Over 160,000 individuals.
What is the CBP One app used for?
For asylum seekers to schedule appointments at ports of entry.
