Arrests for crossing the border without legal authorization from Mexico in December have barely changed from the previous month, a US official revealed on Monday, remaining near the lowest levels since July 2020 and indicating that the increase anticipated earlier has not occurred. of Donald Trump’s inauguration as president.
As of Monday morning, there were about 44,000 apprehensions in December, suggesting the month will end close to the 46,612 apprehensions in November, according to a senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official. in English) who spoke on condition of anonymity because the count is preliminary and has not been made public.
December will mark the sixth consecutive month in which arrests for unauthorized crossings were lower than the monthly average in 2019, the official said. It also notes that the final full month of Joe Biden’s presidency will be at or near the lowest levels during his four years in office.
Asked to comment on the latest numbers, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement from Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who said the “rapid and effective implementation” of asylum restrictions in June resulted in another month below the 2019 average. .
“This sustained success is the result of strong border law enforcement, extensive engagement with our foreign partners, and the delivery of safe and legal pathways that continue to provide humanitarian relief under our laws,” Mayorkas stressed.
Arrests halved from a record high of 250,000 in December 2023 after Mexican authorities increased enforcement within their own borders and halved again after Biden imposed strict limits on asylum. .
Texas’ Rio Grande Valley was the second-busiest corridor for illegal crossings in December, up from fifth place in November, perhaps a reflection of tactical decisions by trafficking organizations and law enforcement. Mexican law, the official said.
San Diego remained the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. El Paso, Texas, was third and Tucson, Arizona was fourth.
For the second month in a row, those allowed to enter the country through official border crossings are expected to exceed apprehensions for unauthorized crossings, reflecting the Biden administration’s focus on creating and expanding legal pathways while severely restricting asylum. for those who cross the border irregularly.
The vast majority of legal entries take place through an online appointment system called CBP One, which provides 1,450 slots a day.
Trump has focused on launching mass deportations once he takes office on Jan. 20, but he and his advisers have also emphasized border measures, touting a possible return of a policy to make asylum seekers wait in Mexico for hearings. in the immigration courts of the United States.
Trump announced in September that he planned to end CBP One appointments.
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