Border numbers for September close out the fiscal year

The number of border encounters reported by CBP increased by 15% in September, ending the fiscal year with a total of 2,378,944 encounters. As the number of repeat crossings continue to remain high and elevate those numbers, some context is helpful. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council takes a closer look at some historic trends to show that while the official border encounters are indeed high, there have been other years in decades past that were close to or possibly higher than 2022, when factoring in DHS estimates of those who evaded apprehension. Border patrol is more effective in apprehending those crossing the border now than ever before, and therefore the number of apprehensions should be higher than they were 20 years ago when so many were able to evade arrest.

A noteworthy trend in the last fiscal year was that we saw record numbers of arrivals from Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. Border Patrol also recorded at least 853 deaths of migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border during fiscal year 2022, making it the deadliest year on record for migrants seeking safety in the U.S.

The first Venezuelan parolees arrived under the new program

DHS reported the arrival of the first 4 Venezuelan migrants through the new parole program on October 22nd. More than 7,500 people have already applied for the program, and over a hundred have been approved so far. However, there are many limitations to the program including a need for a valid Venezuelan passport and the ability to travel to the United States by air rather than traveling to a land border. 

Meanwhile, those who have arrived at the southern border since the new policy was implemented have begun to set up camps in Mexico following their explusions under Title 42. The UN estimates that over 5,300 Venezuelans have been expelled to Mexico since the October 12th policy change.