Over four fiscal years, the Biden-Harris administration has faced roughly 8.5 million migrant encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border, marking a historic challenge to immigration control. Recent Customs and Border Protection data revealed a sharp spike, including 101,790 encounters in September alone, and highlighted growing concerns about the administration’s handling of unlawful crossings.
Critics argue that these numbers signal a crisis with impacts on community safety and national sovereignty. House Homeland Committee Chairman Mark Green sharply criticized the administration’s approach, while the Border Patrol union publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump, fueling Republican attacks on the administration’s “open-border” policies. In response, the White House defended its recent measures, citing a 55% reduction in unlawful crossings since June due to executive actions aimed at boosting border security.
As both parties look to immigration as a key election issue, the Biden-Harris administration’s border record looms large, revealing sharp divides over national security and immigration reform. The data has intensified calls for action, setting the stage for an immigration debate likely to define the 2024 presidential race.
