Border Security Crisis: Record Encounters at Southern Border in December

The United States is currently facing a crisis at its southern border, with record numbers of migrant encounters in December. According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources, there have been over 276,000 migrant encounters in December alone, breaking the previous record of 269,735 encounters set in September. This number includes both illegal immigrants encountered between ports of entry and migrants entering at ports of entry via the CBP One app.

The surge in migrant encounters has led to concerns about the capacity of the border patrol to handle the influx of people. The Biden administration has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with Republicans blaming the administration’s policies for the surge. In contrast, the administration argues that it is dealing with a hemisphere-wide challenge and needs more funding and immigration reform legislation from Congress.

In an effort to address the crisis, the administration has adopted a strategy of expanding “lawful” pathways for migration, cracking down on smugglers, and increasing consequences for illegal entry. However, officials have also stated that they are releasing 5,000 illegal immigrants a day into the US, without including those being paroled in at ports of entry.

The situation at the southern border has become a contentious issue in the United States, with Democrats and Republicans offering different solutions. The administration has requested $14 billion in border funding as part of the emergency supplemental funding request, but this has stalled as Republicans demand additional restrictions on asylum and the government’s use of parole to stop the interior releases.

In a recent meeting with Mexico, the US delegation discussed the benefits of granting some form of legal status for illegal immigrants already in the US, including those protected by the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This proposal has been met with criticism from Republicans, who argue that it will only exacerbate the crisis.

Overall, the situation at the southern border remains a significant challenge for the US government, with no clear solution in sight. The record number of migrant encounters in December highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for a comprehensive approach to address the crisis.