WASHINGTON — The ongoing debate about border security has been fueled by the latest data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which reveals a significant increase in apprehensions and other activities at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Recent figures, released at the end of January, show that U.S. border officials recorded 302,034 encounters along the Southwest border in December. This number, which includes undocumented immigrants apprehended, those deemed inadmissible, and those processed for expulsion, is the highest monthly total since the current tracking system was introduced in March 2020. Back then, the total number of encounters was 34,460.
These figures, indicative of the volume of immigrants attempting to cross illegally into the United States, have drawn intense scrutiny from lawmakers in Utah and Washington, D.C., who are focused on strengthening border security.
Despite efforts by U.S. Senate Republicans to introduce a bill to enhance border security, it was defeated on Wednesday with 50 votes against and 49 in favor. In addition to this, U.S. Rep. John Curtis is scheduled to visit the border on Thursday, while Gov. Spencer Cox visited the border last Sunday. U.S. Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens also visited the area in early January, all in an effort to draw attention to the issue.
Increasing Encounters from ‘Other’ Countries
Comparatively, the 302,034 encounters along the Southwest border in December is a significant increase from the 269,735 encounters recorded in September, which was the next highest figure since March 2020. The lowest monthly figure since the implementation of the new tracking system was in April 2020, with 17,106 encounters.
Moreover, the total encounters for October, November, and December last year amounted to 785,422, surpassing the 719,017 encounters for the same three-month period in 2022; 518,935 in 2021; and 218,036 in 2020.
Interestingly, the most recent data shows a rise in encounters involving individuals from countries outside of Mexico and Central America, which are traditionally the main sources of undocumented immigrants to the United States.
In December, Mexicans accounted for the highest number of encounters from a single country, with 69,042. This was followed by Guatemalans with 35,366; Hondurans with 20,947; and Salvadorans with 6,396. However, encounters involving individuals from other countries totaled 170,283, representing 56.4% of all encounters for the month and exceeding the combined total from Mexico and the three Central American countries.
By contrast, in December 2020, Mexicans accounted for 39,370 of the 73,994 encounters that month, followed by Guatemalans with 12,454; Hondurans with 10,358; and Salvadorans with 3,921. Encounters involving individuals from other countries totaled just 7,891, making up only 10.7% of the total.
According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release issued on Jan. 26, preliminary figures for the first half of January indicate a reversal in this trend. The statement read, “Consistent with historical trends and enhanced enforcement, the first two weeks of January saw an over 50% decrease in Southwest border encounters between ports of entry according to preliminary figures.”
‘Biden’s Border Crisis’
Despite the sharp increase in encounters, federal lawmakers have struggled to find common ground on the issue, as evidenced by the defeat of the border security bill in Wednesday’s vote.
Utah’s two senators, both Republicans, were divided on the bill. Sen. Mike Lee voted against the measure, while Sen. Mitt Romney voted in favor, according to the Washington Post.
Lee celebrated the defeat of the bill on X, stating, “We just stopped the fake border deal in the Senate — for now. Amazing victory for the American people.” This reflects the strong criticism the bill received from some Republicans, despite being crafted by them.
Romney, on the other hand, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from KSL.com after the vote. However, in earlier comments to the HuffPost, he expressed disappointment at the decision of Republicans to reject the bill, which the Associated Press reported had allocated $20 billion for immigration enforcement.
Regarding the border visits, Curtis, who represents Utah’s 3rd District, will be the latest to visit the area when he travels to Sierra Vista, Arizona, on Thursday. He will be accompanied by 12 other Republican House members for a field hearing on what they are calling “Biden’s border crisis.”
Gov. Spencer Cox visited the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas last Sunday with 13 other Republican governors, expressing concern about the state of border security. U.S. Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens, who represent Utah’s 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts, respectively, visited the border at Eagle Pass, Texas, on Jan. 3.
Disagree. Immigration controversy is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach. A single month’s data cannot capture the full picture or justify a spike in encounters at the US-Mexico border.