Surge in Unauthorized Border Crossings Reported at Northern Border

Encounters with Illegal Immigrants Increase on US Northern Border

According to recently released federal data, encounters with illegal immigrants on the United States' northern border increased by approximately 36% in July. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a total of 1,154 encounters, up from 848 in June. The majority of these encounters involved individuals from Latin American countries.

Significant Increase in Encounters at the Northern Border

The number of encounters at the northern border has increased significantly in fiscal year 2022, with 2,238 recorded encounters compared to 916 in the previous year. Between October 2022 and July 2023, there have been 7,633 encounters. Border Patrol agents in the Swanton Border Patrol Sector, which covers New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, are feeling overwhelmed by the workload. The resources are primarily focused on the southern border, leaving the northern border with limited support.

Call for Action from New Hampshire Governor

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican, has urged the formation of a congressional delegation to address the increasing number of illegal border crossings in the Swanton Sector. Since President Joe Biden took office in 2021, there has been a significant surge in illegal border crossings, with approximately 1.5 million illegal immigrants evading capture. In comparison, during the Trump administration from 2018 to 2020, a total of 415,000 gotaways were reported.

Surge in Illegal Immigration from Multiple Countries

Illegal immigration from multiple countries, including China, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and the Dominican Republic, has seen a significant increase of 1,000%. This surge has posed challenges for major cities like Chicago and New York, as they struggle to handle the large number of foreign nationals entering illegally. In response, Chicago has allocated $51 million in funding to provide housing and food for migrants. Additionally, in New York City, 50 places of worship are being utilized to accommodate these foreign nationals.

Disapproval of President Biden's Handling of the Border

New York residents have protested against a plan to convert a former nursing home into a housing center for migrants. A recent Fox News poll, conducted in late June with over 1,000 registered voters, revealed that 62% of respondents disapprove of President Biden's handling of the border, while only 35% approve.