The ongoing border situation under the Biden-Harris administration continues to be a focal point of national debate. Recent data released by the House Committee on Homeland Security highlights what they describe as a “historic border crisis,” with alarming figures for Fiscal Year 2024. This article delves into the numbers, examining the scope of border encounters and what these statistics reveal about the current state of U.S. border security.
Since Fiscal Year 2021, coinciding with the start of the Biden-Harris administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recorded over 10.8 million encounters nationwide. A significant portion of these, more than 8.72 million, occurred at the Southwest border. To put this into perspective, during the period from FY2017 to FY2020, nationwide encounters totaled approximately 3 million, with 2.37 million at the Southwest Border. This represents a substantial increase, with nationwide border encounters in FY2024 alone increasing by nearly 50 percent compared to FY2021.
Interestingly, the distribution of these encounters has shifted. In FY2024, nearly half of the 2.9 million nationwide encounters were at ports of entry, a notable rise from FY2021 where only 15 percent of encounters occurred at these official points. This shift suggests a change in patterns of border crossings and potentially the strategies employed by individuals attempting to enter the U.S.
Beyond official encounters, the issue of “gotaways” remains a serious concern. CBP estimates approximately 2 million known gotaways since the beginning of FY2021. This figure is roughly four times the number recorded between FY2017 and FY2020. “Gotaways” are individuals who are detected entering the country illegally but evade apprehension, presenting a challenge to border security as their identities and intentions are unknown.
The Biden-Harris administration has implemented mass-parole schemes, such as the CBP One app and the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) programs. These programs have led to over 1.4 million inadmissible aliens being released into the United States. The CBP One app, intended to manage asylum seekers, has seen over 852,000 appointments scheduled since January 2023. While these programs aim to manage the influx at ports of entry, concerns have been raised about vetting procedures. A DHS Office of Inspector General report highlighted that the TSA “cannot ensure its vetting and screening procedures prevent high-risk noncitizens who may pose a threat to the flying public from boarding domestic flights.” Furthermore, the CHNV program faced scrutiny and a temporary pause in July 2024 due to widespread fraud concerns.
While the Southwest border remains the primary focus, the northern border is also experiencing a significant surge in illegal crossings. Encounters at the northern border in FY2024 have increased by over 600 percent compared to FY2021. The number of Mexican nationals encountered at the northern border has risen dramatically, increasing by 1,000 percent in the same period. This suggests a potential shift in migration routes, possibly exploiting perceived vulnerabilities at the northern border as resources are concentrated on the Southwest.
The national security implications of these border trends are significant. Apprehensions of individuals on the terrorist watchlist attempting to cross both the Southwest and Northern borders have increased by over 3,000 percent since the beginning of FY2021, with more than 390 such individuals apprehended. Illegal border crossers have been encountered from over 160 countries, including countries listed as State Sponsors of Terrorism. There are also growing concerns regarding Chinese nationals illegally crossing the border, with encounters increasing over 1,000 percent under the current administration compared to FY2017-FY2020. Some of these individuals have been linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army, raising espionage and national security risks. Reports indicate that vetting procedures for Chinese nationals may have been reduced, potentially exacerbating these risks.
Critics argue that the Biden-Harris administration’s policies, including mass-parole schemes and catch-and-release practices, have fueled the border crisis. Data from ICE indicates a large number of criminal illegal aliens on the Non-Detained Docket, further highlighting concerns about public safety. The debate continues regarding the effectiveness of current border security measures and the need for policy changes to address the high number of illegal border crossings and associated national security concerns in 2024 and beyond.
Key Facts:
- Over 10.8 million nationwide encounters recorded by CBP since the start of FY2021.
- 8.72 million encounters at the Southwest border since FY2021.
- Nearly 50% increase in nationwide encounters in FY2024 compared to FY2021.
- Approximately 2 million known gotaways since FY2021.
- Over 1.4 million inadmissible aliens released into the U.S. via CHNV and CBP One programs.
- Over 600% increase in northern border encounters in FY2024 compared to FY2021.
- Over 3,000% increase in terrorist watchlist apprehensions since FY2021.
- Over 1,000% increase in Chinese national encounters compared to FY2017-FY2020.
