Monthly encounters with illegal immigrants at the southern border have hit a new all-time high, according to a new report.
Fox News reported on Friday that encounters at the southern border in December hit 276,000, the highest ever on record, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources. The previous monthly high, set in September 2023, was 269,735. The all-time December record came just one month after the highest November on record, with nearly 250,000 border encounters.
“We are now at over 760,000 migrant encounters since October 1st, making the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 also the highest ever recorded. That’s a population size bigger than Seattle in just three months,” reporter Bill Melugin posted on X. “All records being blown out of the water under the Biden admin as the crisis gets worse — not better.”
The release of the numbers prompted criticism from conservatives, who pointed out that December was supposed to see fewer encounters.
“The highest single month ever recorded. Let that sink in. The Biden administration’s open-border policies helped facilitate this chaos. We need border security NOW,” Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) said.
“Remember: December is SUPPOSED to be a ‘slower’ month for migrant apprehensions. Unless and until amnesty-first Senate Republicans realize that [HR2] halts this chaos, we will only see more of the same,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said.
“Mayorkas’ border crisis is breaking its own records — and Americans are paying the cost. Accountability is coming,” the House Homeland Security Committee posted on X.
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The Biden administration met with Mexican officials this week to discuss the surge at the border. Despite the record amount of crossings coming into the U.S., the Biden administration told Mexico it wanted to encourage more migration into America. During the meetings, the Biden administration agreed to foster “orderly, humane, and regular migration” with Mexico. The officials also talked about strengthening trade and suggested giving amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S.
“Delegations also discussed the benefit of regularizing the situation of long-term undocumented Hispanic migrants and DACA recipients, who are a vital part of the U.S. economy and society,” a statement from U.S. and Mexican officials said.
At the same, the Biden administration has threatened to sue Texas over a state law that will allow state officials to arrest illegal immigrants who cross into Texas.