US News

Border migrant encounters surpass 227K in September

By
Social Links for Jon Levine
Published Oct. 22, 2022, 11:01 a.m. ET

The number of migrant encounters recorded at the U.S. border surged to 227,547 in September, according to new figures released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The figure represents an all-time record for the month of September, as migrants looking for a new life in America continue to flood across the porous U.S-Mexico border.

During the same period in 2021, there were 192,001 migrant encounters. In September 2020, border agents encounter 57,674 migrants. In September 2019 it was 52,546, according to Fox News.

“While failing regimes in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua continued to drive a new wave of migration across the western Hemisphere, the number of Venezuelans arriving at the southern border decreased sharply nearly every day since we launched additional joint actions with Mexico to reduce irregular migration and create a more fair, orderly and safe process for people fleeing the humanitarian and economic crisis in their country,” CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus said in a press release — putting his best face on the numbers.

CBP said 77,302 of the encounters at the border involved people from Venezuela, Cuba or Nicaragua, while 58,068 involved migrants from Mexico or Central America.

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Migrants cross from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande to turn themselves in to the U.S. Border Patrol on September 21, 2022 in El Paso, Texas. In recent weeks, Venezuelans have arrived in increasing numbers in El Paso. The city has had to scramble to find housing and other aid for the migrants.
Border patrol recorded more than 220,000 migrant encounters this past September.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Venezuelan migrants hug as they reach the U.S. border fence to turn themselves in to the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico on September 22, 2022 in El Paso, Texas. In recent weeks, Venezuelans have arrived in increasing numbers in El Paso. The city has had to scramble to find housing and other aid for the migrants.
CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus claims less migrants are coming from Venezuela.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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People walk into the United States after passing through the Paso del Norte Port of Entry on March 31, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to close the United States border if Mexico does not stem the flow of illegal migrants trying to cross.
US Border patrol’s September migrant encounter tally surpassed the previous three years.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Cars approach the Stanton Street Port of Entry on March 31, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to close the United States border if Mexico does not stem the flow of illegal migrants trying to cross.
CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus argues most migrants are coming from Central America. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A U.S. Border Patrol agent loads detained migrants into a van at the border of the United States and Mexico on March 31, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to close the United States border if Mexico does not stem the flow of illegal migrants trying to cross.
Republicans have blasted President Biden for loosening former President Donald Trump’s border policies.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Border patrol officials give food and water to migrants entering a processing center in El Paso, Texas on March 22, 2019.
Border patrol officials give food and water to migrants entering a processing center in El Paso, Texas on March 22, 2019.Mani Albrecht/U.S. Customs and Border Protection via Getty Images
Migrants from El Salvador are apprehended by US Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas on March 19, 2019.
Migrants from El Salvador are apprehended by US Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas on March 19, 2019. PAUL RATJE/AFP via Getty Images
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“CBP and DHS will continue to work with our partners in the region to address the root causes of migration, expand legal pathways, facilitate removals, and take thousands of smugglers off the streets,” Magnus continued. “No matter what smugglers say, those who do not have a legal basis to remain in the country will be removed and people should not make the dangerous journey.”