A gate leading to Bone Water Crossing on the Rio Grande River is seen, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Terrell County, Texas. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)


March 23, 2024

Amid heightened political scrutiny, the U.S. Border Patrol reported a slight increase in arrests for illegal border crossings in February compared to the previous month. However, the figures remain relatively low during Joe Biden's presidency.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released data indicating that Border Patrol agents apprehended 140,644 individuals attempting to enter the country unlawfully between legal border crossing points in February.

These figures, part of CBP's monthly release of immigration, trade, and fentanyl seizure data, attract significant attention amidst ongoing debates about immigration policies and border security.

Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, have been critical of Biden's approach, accusing his administration of encouraging migrants to enter the U.S. illegally and alleging a lack of control over the border. In response, the Biden administration contends that Republicans have hindered efforts to fund essential border security measures and argues that the situation at the southern border reflects a broader global trend of people fleeing their homes in search of safety.

The recent numbers follow a record high of 249,785 arrests by Border Patrol in December, which fueled concerns about immigration. However, arrests decreased significantly in January before edging up again in February.

Officials attribute the decline from December to January and the subsequent uptick in February to various factors, including enhanced enforcement efforts by Mexico and seasonal fluctuations influencing migrant patterns.

During a visit to Brownsville, Texas, on February 29 alongside Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas credited Mexico's intensified enforcement measures as the primary reason for the decrease. However, he noted that migrant encounters remained elevated in Arizona, partly due to challenges in patrolling Sonora, the Mexican state bordering Arizona.

In February, the Tucson sector in Arizona witnessed the highest number of migrant crossings between official border points, followed by San Diego and El Paso, Texas.

Additionally, CBP reported that 42,100 migrants utilized the CBP One app to schedule appointments at official border crossing points to seek entry into the U.S. This app forms a crucial component of the Biden administration's strategy to manage border flows by encouraging migrants to await scheduled appointments rather than resorting to irregular crossings and seeking out Border Patrol agents.

Furthermore, the administration has admitted 30,000 individuals per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela under humanitarian parole authority. To qualify, migrants must have a U.S.-based financial sponsor and fly into an American airport. As of the latest data, 386,000 people from these countries have been admitted under this program.

However, Republicans have raised concerns about the CBP One app and the use of humanitarian parole, alleging that they circumvent immigration laws to admit individuals who would not otherwise qualify for entry.

Overall, the border situation remains a contentious issue, with both parties offering contrasting perspectives on the effectiveness of current policies and enforcement measures.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Thousands of People Bid Final Goodbye to Pope Francis at Vatican City

On Friday evening, Pope Francis' wooden coffin was sealed, officially ending the three days his body lay in state at....

George Santos Sentenced To Seven Years For Fraud In House Campaign

George Santos, a former US representative, received a seven-year prison sentence on Friday. The case ended a long controversy that....

Virginia Giuffre, Epstein Accuser, Dies at 41 in Australia

Virginia Giuffre, known for accusing Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has died by suicide at 41. Her....

Pakistan halts Indian visas After Deadly Kashmir Attack On Tourists

Pakistan has taken strong steps against India following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. The....

China Opens Moon Rocks To Global Scientists, Including the US

China has agreed to let scientists from six countries, including the United States, study Moon rocks it collected during its....

Israel Admits Killing UN Worker In Gaza After Initial Denial

Israel's military has admitted that its troops killed a United Nations (UN) worker in the Gaza Strip last month, after....

Trump Criticizes Putin Over Deadly Russian Strikes On Kyiv

US President Donald Trump has expressed his anger over the deadly Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, stating that he....

Thousands Gather To Bid Farewell To Pope Francis In Vatican

Pope Francis’ body was laid in state at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, allowing thousands of Catholic pilgrims to pay....

India Calls In Pakistan Envoy Over Kashmir Attack That Killed 26

India took strong diplomatic steps against Pakistan after a deadly attack in Kashmir. The government summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in....

India Halts Indus Treaty, Closes Attari Border Over Militant Attack

India has taken strong action against Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. This attack killed....

6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Istanbul, Causes Panic

A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, causing panic in the Turkish city. The quake....

Gaza Health Ministry Defends Accuracy Of Death Toll Data

At al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Alam Hirzallah faces a heartbreaking task: registering the deaths of his cousin’s wife and....