The United States witnessed a record-breaking surge of over 12,000 migrants crossing over the southern border into the country. The situation at the border has been escalating, with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents struggling to manage the overwhelming influx of individuals.
Of the 12,000 migrants, more than 10,200 were taken into custody by Customs and Border Protection after illegally crossing into the country between ports of entry. This surge in migrant crossings is straining the capacity of CBP sectors along the southern border, as per New York Times.
Record Surge of Migrant Encounters Strains US Cities
LUKEVILLE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 06: A U.S. Border Patrol agent asks immigrants to sit in a queue while they await transport from the U.S.-Mexico border on December 06, 2023 in Lukeville, Arizona. A surge of migrants illegally passing through openings cut by smugglers in the border wall has overwhelmed U.S. immigration authorities, causing them to shut down the international port of entry in Lukeville, so that officers can help process the new arrivals.
Over the past year, during President Biden's tenure, the United States has experienced the highest-ever number of migrant encounters, totaling 2.4 million. The month of September marked a historic high, with over 260,000 illegal crosser encounters. This unprecedented situation has prompted a response from various levels of government.
One area heavily impacted by this surge is the CBP's Tucson Sector in Arizona. Here, there has been a surge in encounters with migrants, including hundreds of adult male crossers from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. In a single week, the sector recorded 17,500 encounters, a record-breaking weekly total.
Lukeville, Arizona, has become a temporary holding area for adult migrants awaiting processing. Many of these migrants express hopes of reaching cities like New York, where they believe economic opportunities are available.
However, cities like New York and Chicago, which have received significant numbers of migrants bused in from border states, are struggling to accommodate the influx. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City and Governor Kathy Hochul have repeatedly stated that they are overwhelmed by the number of migrants sent to their cities, primarily by bus from the border, according to Daily Mail.
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Mayors Seek $5 Billion in Aid Amid Border Crisis
In response to the situation, several Democratic mayors are requesting $5 billion in aid to address the challenges posed by the migrant influx. This request exceeds the $1.5 billion requested by the White House from Congress for supplemental funding.
The situation has prompted discussions on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers considering various measures to address the border crisis. Republicans are advocating for restrictions on asylum and parole systems, which they believe have contributed to the surge. Democrats have signaled a willingness to consider certain GOP proposals but insist on accompanying policy changes with amnesty for illegal immigrants already in the US.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged that some of the GOP's proposals were reasonable and worthy of discussion, while others were not aligned with the country's values and international obligations regarding refugees.
President Biden expressed openness to "significant compromises" on border security, acknowledging that the border system is "broken" and in need of repair.
The surge in migrant crossings at the southern border remains, posing a challenge to immigration policies and resources. This has sparked debates on the most effective approach for addressing the intricate matter of border management and immigration reform, Fox News reported.
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