Nearly a quarter of a million migrants attempted to cross the besieged southern border of the United States in November – the highest number for November and the third-highest monthly total on record.
There were 242,418 encounters last month, according to the latest figures released Friday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Was
November’s figure has only been eclipsed twice before: in September, when 269,735 migrants were found, and in December 2022, when 252,315 migrants were found.
The surprising numbers were released just days before Christmas, prompting House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) to declare that the Biden administration “wants as few Americans as possible to see them.” ”.
“By strategically delaying the release of these figures until the Friday before Christmas, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is blatantly showing the full extent of his duplicity,” Green said in a statement.
“These numbers are so bad that you want as few Americans as possible to see them.”
Nearly a quarter of a million migrants arrived at the southern border in November alone. AFP via Getty Images
Green said he expected more records to be trampled in the coming weeks and called Mayorkas’ handling of the crisis “cowardly.”
“The December figures, which will be published in January, are expected to be even more grim,” he said. “Fortunately, next month the Secretary will not have a major holiday as a convenient shield to hide behind.”
A new wave of migrants could come in the coming months as border crossers rush to reach the United States before a new Texas law takes effect in March.
Signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday, that legislation gives the state’s law enforcement officers the power to arrest anyone suspected of entering the country illegally.
Officials said they expect already record numbers to rise. REUTERS
“This cowardly quest to evade accountability and transparency is one more reason why my Committee is initiating impeachment proceedings against Secretary Mayorkas early in the new year,” Green insisted.
“This devastating and unmitigated disaster for our country will no longer be tolerated.”
In fiscal year 2023, more encounters were recorded at the southern border than in any year since the government began compiling such records in 1960, with an estimated total of 2.4 million.
The current stampede is surpassing previous highs almost daily, as dazed border agents try in vain to stop the influx in places like Eagle Pass, Texas.
Officials said there were 12,600 encounters at the southern border on Monday alone, a new daily record.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attempted to downplay the numbers this week, telling reporters that the situation was not out of the ordinary.
White House officials downplayed the numbers this week. REUTERS
“What we are seeing here at the border, the increase in the migratory flow, certainly has ups and downs,” he said. “And we are in a time of year when we see more at the border. And it’s not unusual. “This is an immigration system that has been broken for decades.”
But National Border Patrol Council Chairman Brandon Judd told Fox News on Friday that his members are increasingly disillusioned with his directives.
There were approximately 2.4 million migrant encounters at the southern border in fiscal year 2023. REUTERS
“While our officers are more than willing to sacrifice vacation time to protect their fellow Americans, that is not what they will do,” he said.
“They will be processing illegal border crossers for release into the United States, while large parts of the border will be left open to exploitation by organized crime. “These will not be happy holidays for the hard-working men and women of the Border Patrol.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn