Official data shows that the number of illegal migrations to the U.S., particularly through the southern border, has seen a drop in illegal border crossings for the fifth month in a row.
Background
In July, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested about 57,000 migrants along the border – the lowest since September 2020. This is a significant decrease from December 2023, when approximately 250,000 people were apprehended trying to cross over from Mexico.
According to President Joe Biden’s administration, this reduction is due to initiatives recently taken by Biden to address unauthorized alien presence in America which represents an electoral weakness for Democrats.
From the HomeLand Security
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said during an interview with CBS news this week that “This is the product of a number of actions this administration has taken.”
According to Mr Mayorkas, these include an executive action signed last month by President Joe Biden allowing immigration officers to deport migrants without processing their asylum claims.
Some left-wing Democrats called it one of the most restrictive border policies by any recent Democratic president. They criticized it. The administration promised the executive order would “help us gain control of our border.” Biden added, “…doing nothing is not an option.”
Government figures indicate a decrease in migrants stopped at the US-Mexico border before the order. Border Patrol apprehended 141,000 people in February, 137,000 in March, 129,000 in April, 118,000 in May, and 84,000 in June. These numbers exclude official crossings facilitated by a smartphone app launched by President Biden. Through this app, an average of 1.5K migrants per day are processed via appointments with U.S. border agents.
Trumps View
Mexican officials, on their own part, have also been working to stop illegal migration including intercepting people just before they attempt to cross into America.
No doubt, the southern border has been a political headache for Biden especially as Election Day approaches.
Republicans, including Donald Trump who is their presidential candidate, have attacked Mr. Biden over this continually; last month he said that Mr. President had “surrendered our southern border.”
In response, the president accused Trump’s circles of making an “extremely cynical political move” by having republican lawmakers kill off a proposed immigration bill at congress earlier this year.
Summary
Illegal border crossings to the U.S. have dropped for the fifth consecutive month, reaching the lowest levels since September 2020. In July, 57,000 migrants were apprehended, down from 250,000 in December 2023. The Biden administration credits this reduction to recent immigration policies by his administration, including a controversial executive action allowing deportations without asylum processing. Despite criticisms from within the Democratic Party, officials claim these measures are necessary for border control. Additionally, Mexico has intensified efforts to curb illegal crossings.
Key Points:
- July records the fifth consecutive month of decline in illegal border crossings.
- 57,000 migrants arrested in July, lowest since September 2020.
- Current figures are a significant drop from December 2023’s 250,000 arrests.
- The Biden administration’s new immigration policies are credited for the decline.
- Internal Democratic criticism of restrictive policies.
- Mexico has intensified efforts to intercept migrants before they reach U.S. border crossings.
- Political contention between Democrats and Republicans over border control.
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