Large numbers of illegal immigrants caught at southern border from China, Jordan, and Turkey.
The U.S. border crisis continues to escalate, with a significant surge in illegal crossings being reported. The San Diego Sector alone accounted for 98% of the encounters, making it a hotspot for border crossings despite a general decrease in numbers along the border. While the Tucson Sector in Arizona topped the charts with over 33,000 illegal encounters, San Diego closely followed with over 32,000 encounters.
In May, the San Diego sector witnessed a diverse mix of nationalities illegally crossing the border. Over 770 Jordanians, more than 670 Turkish, and over 500 Mauritanian nationals were among those recorded. This underscores the global nature of the U.S. migrant crisis, extending beyond the Western Hemisphere.
The influx of Jordanian nationals gained attention when two individuals from Jordan were apprehended for attempting to breach Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. One of them had crossed into the U.S. illegally in April and was subsequently released into the interior of the U.S.
Furthermore, the number of Chinese nationals crossing the border has seen a significant surge since 2021. The encounters rose from 1,970 in FY 2022 to over 24,000 in FY 2023, with over 24,200 encounters already reported in the current fiscal year.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged the challenges posed by migrants trying to exploit the asylum system. He emphasized the need for reforms, pointing to the administration’s efforts in removing or returning over 720,000 illegal immigrants since May 2023 – a record figure not seen since 2011.
Mayorkas highlighted the administration’s push for bipartisan reform through a Senate bill, which aims to equip authorities with better tools to address individuals attempting to manipulate the asylum process. Despite these efforts, the proposal has struggled to gain traction in the Senate.
On the political front, the border crisis remains a contentious issue, with President Biden’s re-election campaign looming in the background. Republicans have criticized the administration’s policies, particularly the reversal of Trump-era measures such as wall construction and the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). They have passed legislation in the House aimed at tightening asylum rules and resuming border wall construction, though the Senate has yet to take it up for consideration.
As the situation at the border continues to evolve, it remains a focal point for policymakers and stakeholders alike. The complex nature of the crisis underscores the need for comprehensive solutions that address both security concerns and humanitarian considerations.
