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An unprecedented influx of migrants at the U.S border is eliciting criticism from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is expressing strong concern over the Biden administration for providing encouragement plans instead of solid solutions.
Johnson was particularly alarmed when a joint statement from the U.S and Mexican government, led by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, requested amnesty for undocumented immigrants without proposing effective measures for the issue.
The joint statement issued overly focused on endorsing the notion of ‘orderly, humane, and regular migration’ but fails to address the consistent significant flow of undocumented immigrants into the U.S. southern border. Johnson believes the Biden administration’s oversight neglects the true gravity of the issue, especially with the surge of migrants into the country.
While recognising the contribution of immigrants to the U.S economy and social fabric, Johnson took umbrage at what he saw as irresponsible endorsement by Biden. Johnson stressed the urgent need for policies that dissuade, rather than attract, illegal immigration, criticizing the administration for lack of seriousness in dealing with the situation.
He expressed his concern stating, ‘This development further evidences a lack of intention on the Administration’s part to address the humanitarian disaster and immediate national security crisis resulting from their policies. It’s critical that President Biden takes firm action to halt the flow of undocumented immigration into our country. Our national security and sovereignty rely on it, and it’s what the American people are asking for.’
Federal data shows a startling increase in the movements of illegal migrants, with Border Patrol encounters soaring above 2 million in the fiscal year 2023, and 2.2 million in the previous fiscal year, the highest recorded rates of illegal immigration at the southern border in recent times.
The rate of arrests shows a similar trend, with ICE reporting approximately 3,000 apprehensions for criminal offenses in FY 2023, compared to around 2,200 in FY 2022 and about 2,300 in FY 2021. This escalating tide of illegal entries emphasizes the challenges facing border protection personnel.
U.S. immigration officials expect to process an astonishing 300,000 migrants in December, a figure that represents a record-breaking monthly high, according to internal government data. A significant portion of these numbers may come from migrant families, highlighting the pressing nature of this comprehensive immigration issue.
The explosion in the migrant population stretches the already resource-strapped U.S communities, casting uncertainty on the lives of countless migrants and compelling lawmakers to contemplate radical restrictions on asylum. It additionally poses significant risks to President Biden’s prospects for a second term.
The appointment system established by the Biden administration predicts U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Mexican border will apprehend up to 250,000 undocumented immigrants this month. Furthermore, around 50,000 new arrivals are anticipated to go through legal processing at the official points of entry.
Historical data demonstrates the current influx represents an unprecedented challenge for border authorities. The highest ever recorded monthly processing in the history of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the southern frontier used to be 270,000 migrants in September; this record is under threat in December.
Preliminary stats from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have shown that in the first 28 days of December, about 235,000 migrants illegally crossed the southern border. With following trends, Border Patrol is projected to set a new milestone by apprehending roughly 260,000 people this month.
It is anticipated that Border Patrol will reach or surpass its existing record of 103,000 family member apprehensions. Approximately 96,000 migrant parents and children traveling together have been processed as of December 28. The legal and practical constraints of processing families, particularly children, pose unique challenges to federal officials.
The DHS reports indicated that the first 28 days of December saw a massive processing of 127,000 adult migrants who arrived alone and nearly 12,000 unaccompanied children. This unsettling rise in single adults and undefended children crossing the border requires urgent attention.
A surge in arrivals from crisis-stricken Venezuela, previously on the decline, exacerbates the situation. Internal data shows a leap from 23,000 Venezuelan illegal migrants processed in November to a staggering 50,000 in December. As we enter a new year, the pressing question is how the administration intends to address the escalating issue of unprecedented unlawful border crossings.
