In December, more than 300,000 individuals were anticipated to cross the US-Mexico border without authorization, marking a new monthly record, as reported by government figures obtained by CBS. The average daily apprehensions by US border agents reached around 8,400, posing a significant challenge for the Biden administration, which is striving to address the escalating migrant flows. The first 28 days of December witnessed nearly 235,000 unauthorized crossings, with an additional 50,000 entering under an appointment system. Among these, almost 96,000 were parents traveling with their children.
This surge in border crossings surpasses the previous monthly high recorded in September when approximately 270,000 individuals were processed by border agents. The Biden White House, grappling with the political implications of the situation, had hinted at potential policy shifts, including new limits on asylum seekers, and an expansion of detention and deportation efforts.
In response to the escalating border situation, Mexico and Venezuela announced the resumption of repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants in Mexico. This development followed a high-level meeting between US and Mexican officials aimed at managing the flow of migrants while sustaining cross-border trade. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador revealed that Biden had expressed concern about the unprecedented migrant arrivals and called for a collaborative solution.
A recent CBS poll highlighted immigration as the second most concerning issue in the country, following inflation but preceding worries about the stability of the democratic system. With a backlog of 3 million pending cases in the immigration court system, there are concerns that it may take up to three years to clear the backlog, placing additional strain on authorities.
The border situation has prompted discussions about potential policy measures, with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham mentioning the possibility of "expedited removal" of migrants. Mayors from cities like Chicago and Denver emphasized the strain on local governments, calling it an international and federal crisis that they are being asked to subsidize.
As the Biden administration grapples with the issue, there are increasing calls for urgent action, with some Republicans linking border problems to national security concerns for the United States. The situation at the border continues to be a complex and multifaceted challenge requiring comprehensive and collaborative solutions.