U.S. Customs and Border Protection's most recent data shows that illegal border crossings along the northern border are still breaking records.
May saw the biggest number of people caught for illegal immigration into the United States in history—18,644—at the northern border, setting a new record.
Under the Biden administration, the number of unlawful entry into the country has increased to the greatest level ever along the northern border, according to The Center Square.
CBP statistics shows that during the first eight months of fiscal 2024, over 99,000 people were detained for entering the country illegally across the northern border. The statistics are on pace to exceed the 147,666 apprehensions for fiscal 2023 if the present trend persists.
These figures represent an increase from 24,895 in the fiscal year 2021 to 92,737 in the fiscal year 2022.
The fiscal year of CBP starts on October 1.
The word "gotaways," which is officially used by CBP to refer to foreign individuals who enter the US unlawfully between ports of entry and do not leave and return to Canada or Mexico, was not included in the statistics. CBP keeps this information confidential. In an effort to provide a more realistic picture of monthly apprehension statistics, Center Square first started receiving information, under anonymity, from a Border Patrol agent.
The Swanton Sector, which encompasses all of Vermont, six upstate New York counties, and three New Hampshire counties, is the busiest sector at the northern border.
The sector is the first international land border east of the Great Lakes, spanning 295 miles of international boundary with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
According to an exclusive investigation by The Center Square, Swanton Sector Border Patrol officers smashed prior records in fiscal 2023 by apprehending over 6,700 foreign nationals from 76 different nations, the most number of unlawful border crossers in history.
They keep shattering records.
Chief Border Patrol Agent Robert Garcia said, "Swanton Sector Border Patrol Agents have apprehended more than 10,000 subjects from 83 countries in less than 9 months." As of June 10, the figure for this fiscal year exceeded the sector's whole record-breaking fiscal 2023 year, he added. "We are witnessing an unparalleled surge in unauthorized admissions throughout Eastern New York and Vermont."
This comes after The Center Square revealed that in the first half of fiscal 2024, the number of people apprehended at the northern border hit an all-time high, with Swanton Sector agents apprehending more people in a single week than they did in the previous fiscal year.
Based on CBP statistics, the northern border is where Border Patrol officers are apprehending the highest number of KSTs, or known or suspected terrorists. According to The Center Square, they detained 143 KSTs in the first half of fiscal 2024, including one Iranian with connections to terrorism.
As of June 20, CBP data shows that number has increased to 199. In contrast, during the same period, 117 KSTs were captured along the southwest border.
At 5,525 miles, the U.S.-Canada border is the world's longest international border. As opposed to the border between the United States and Mexico, the border between the United States and Canada is mostly unmanned and unpatrolled, and there are no border walls or other such obstacles.
The Center Square was the first to publish on the many reports indicating that a major concern to national security is the absence of operational control at the northern border.
Former Border Patrol commander Mark Morgan told The Center Square, "The northern border is under-resourced by far compared to the southwest border." On the other hand, it still poses serious risks. Cartels are growing their operations by flying persons into Canada, where there is no visa requirement. This creates a window of opportunity for those on terrorist watch lists to take advantage of. It is considerably simpler to go to Canada now.
According to Garcia, the Swanton Sector is actively recruiting and is now providing incentives for new hires up to $30,000, which is an increase from the $20,000 hiring incentives provided in February.
Garcia also stresses how important it is for the neighborhood to assist Border Patrol operations. "Our community's alertness is crucial for agents," he said. In 2023, Swanton Sector had over 1,000 complaints of suspicious behavior, and we appreciate each and every call that we get. Without public support, we are unable to carry out our duties in an efficient manner.
He is pleading with the public, saying, "We need your help now more than ever," as record numbers of people continue to come over the northern border. YOUR phone call counts! Call 1-800-689-3362.
