July 16, 2024
We are continuing to work with international partners to go after transnational criminal organizations that traffic in chaos and prioritize profit over human lives.
Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner at Customs and Border Protection, on new data on border encounters in June that showed a decline of encounters on the Southwest border and Northern border.
Why It Matters: Over the last several years, the U.S. has experienced historic levels of border encounters. New data from June shows nationwide encounters decreased month to month, and year over year.
The number of “encounters” reflects the number of individuals law enforcement confronts at the U.S. border or crossing the border without legal status; the data reflects only those people border patrol sees or apprehends. Individuals confronted can be arrested and taken into custody, removed from the country or allowed to stay to pursue asylum. In addition, an individual could be encountered multiple times a year – every encounter does not signify a new person.
New Data: Nationwide encounters dropped from May (240,000+) to June (205,000+).
Encounters at the Southwest border decreased from last month by approximately 24% (170,000+ May vs. 130,000+ June), with a year-over-year decrease of about 10% (144,000+ 2023 vs. 130,000+ 2024). The total number of encounters at the Southwest border is the lowest seen since 2021.
The Northern border saw a monthly decrease of 5% (18,000+ May vs. 17,000+ June). However, encounters remain historically high.
More Context: In early June, the White House announced new executive action on immigration, including a limit on asylum claims at the U.S. border to only those who attempt it through “legal pathways” (instead of attempting to cross the U.S. border illegally). This is the first full month of data since the Biden administration announced an asylum ban, which continues to be challenged in court. Questions remain about how the policy change contributed to the lower numbers of encounters or whether other factors, for example, challenging summer heat, impacted the numbers.
Read More: Nationwide Encounters: Interactive Map ~ use this map to see data.
CBP Releases June 2024 Monthly Update (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Photo Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection / X
by Aimee Roberts, based in Virginia
