Migrant encounters at the southern border reached an unprecedented record in September, exceeding 260,000, according to sources within Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This alarming surge poses a significant challenge for border officials grappling with what is being termed as a historic crisis.
The previous record, set in December of the preceding year at 252,320 encounters, has been surpassed, marking a concerning escalation. Despite a temporary decline in numbers in 2023, the end of Title 42 in May led to a resurgence, with CBP reporting 230,000 encounters in August alone. The situation on the ground remains dire, with agents encountering between 10,000 and 11,000 migrants daily, leading to the release of migrants onto the streets in certain instances.
🚨Breaking News: Brownsville, TX, once again is experiencing a migrant surge at the border near the old golf course area. #RGV Border Patrol Agents are encountering large groups of migrants from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, & other nationalities. pic.twitter.com/gGTC9zh8kJ
— Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez (@USBPChiefRGV) September 29, 2023
Compounding the severity of the crisis is the timing of this surge, coinciding with a critical moment in Washington D.C. as discussions revolve around government spending. Border Patrol Agents, deemed essential employees handling national security matters, face the unsettling prospect of working without pay in the event of a government shutdown. This predicament extends to those agents on the frontlines, dealing with government credit card bills for accommodations during their assignments, even without the guarantee of timely pay.
The House recently passed a “clean” continuing resolution, extending funding at current levels until mid-November. However, the specter of a potential government shutdown looms if Congress fails to reach a longer-term agreement. This uncertainty has left many agents, who often live paycheck-to-paycheck, grappling with financial concerns.
Efforts by House Republicans to include border security measures, particularly the “Secure the Border Act,” in the funding bill faced a setback. A vote on the bill failed as 21 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it. In response, Senator Rick Scott of Florida introduced a measure to ensure that CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff are paid in the event of a shutdown. The bill, supported by several Republican senators and endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council, aims to alleviate the financial strain on frontline agents.
🚨Update from Brownsville, TX:🚨 Amisdt scorching temperatures, #RGV Border Patrol Agents & Supervisors from Brownsville, Harlingen, & Fort Brown stations continue to work tirelessly addressing this significant migrant surge…approx. 3,000 people in the last 48 hrs. pic.twitter.com/aj1kekwjy7
— Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez (@USBPChiefRGV) September 30, 2023
Footage captured last night in El Paso, TX shows a massive swarm of illegals rushing the US border chanting “Sí se puede” while border patrol agents standby helplessly. Invasion by design. pic.twitter.com/LNvI0bXZzp
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 5, 2023
The escalating numbers at the southern border intensify the pressure on the Biden administration, already under scrutiny from conservatives and Republicans for its handling of the crisis. Critics attribute the surge to the administration’s rollback of Trump-era policies and its perceived shortcomings in interior enforcement. The administration, in turn, contends that Congress must address the broken immigration system through funding and comprehensive reform. Amidst this political impasse, the reality on the ground remains stark, with frontline agents facing the immediate challenges posed by the surging migrant encounters.
