The Biden administration has again broken records at the border as illegal crossings jumped to new highs in August, according to new statistics released by Customs and Border Protection.
In August 2023, CBP had a total of 304,162 encounters at the nation’s borders, a new monthly record, while border agents had 232,972 encounters at the southern border, an increase of about 50,000 from the previous month.“CBP remains vigilant in the face of ruthless smugglers and transnational criminal organizations who exploit vulnerable migrants, the same criminal organizations trafficking in lethal drugs that harm our communities,” said acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller. “Our operational tempo along the border has increased in response to increased encounters, and we remain squarely focused on our broader security mission and enforcing U.S. immigration laws.”
Miller claimed that the CBP was processing more individuals for “expedited removal than ever before,” a statement that would seem to contradict data indicating that deportations have plummeted under Biden.
The high number of crossings have continued into September, with tens of thousands of illegal immigrants coming through Eagle Pass, Texas, triggering the mayor to declare an emergency. The Biden administration, which has sued to stop Texas from erecting a water barrier in the Rio Grande to deter illegal crossings, has also been accused of cutting razor wire put up by Texas in Eagle Pass to secure the border. Dan Stein, the president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a group that advocates for border security, said that the Biden admin’s policies were to blame for the record crossings.
“It is a disaster created and perpetuated by the policies of the Biden administration. President Biden has not taken historic action to secure the border. He has taken illegal actions of historic proportions to throw open the borders,” he said in a statement.