The United States is facing a significant challenge from illegal immigration, with over 1.7 million foreign nationals entering the country illegally in the first six months of fiscal 2024. This number represents the highest number of illegal entries for this time period in U.S. history, surpassing the 1.5 million who entered during the same period in fiscal 2023.
In March alone, there were 246,432 illegal entries reported nationwide, with 189,372 of those entering through the southwest border. This data comes from the latest CBP statistics. Additionally, CBP processed 44,000 foreign nationals who arrived at ports of entry using the CBP One phone app in March. Since January 2023, over 547,000 foreign nationals have successfully scheduled appointments through the app to present at ports of entry.
A new program created by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has granted parole to 404,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans between January 2023 and the end of March 2024. This program has faced legal challenges, with more than 20 state attorneys general suing Mayorkas over the app and parole program. House Republicans have also raised concerns about the legality of these programs.
The majority of foreign nationals illegally entering the U.S. continue to be single adults. In the first six months of fiscal 2024, over 1 million single adults entered illegally, exceeding the populations of several U.S. states.
CBP agents have seized significant amounts of fentanyl and heroin, with 10,026 pounds of fentanyl seized in the first six months of fiscal 2024. This amount is enough to cause the deaths of over 2.2 billion people. The CBP Tuscon Sector has been particularly active in seizing record amounts of fentanyl in recent months.
While attention has focused on the southwest border, the number of illegal border crossers at the northern border has also increased dramatically. In fiscal 2024, 91,408 illegal border crossers were apprehended, the highest number in U.S. history.
If current trends continue, fiscal 2024 is on track to break all previous records for illegal entries and fentanyl seizures. Under the Biden administration, record numbers of apprehensions have been broken each year. In fiscal 2021, 1.9 million illegal border crossers were apprehended, a record that was broken in fiscal 2022 and again in fiscal 2023.
Since fiscal 2021, a total of 11 million foreign nationals have reportedly entered the U.S. illegally, including 2 million gotaways. The challenges posed by illegal immigration continue to be a significant issue for the U.S. government.
This article was syndicated with permission from The Center Square.
