WASHINGTON—Large groups of migrants from Central America, traveling by bus through Mexico, have become the new norm in illegal border crossings into the United States.
In one instance, border agents encountered 334 illegal immigrants who had been dropped off by eight commercial buses right at the U.S.–Mexico border, Kevin McAleenan, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner, said in a Senate hearing on March 6.
More than 70 large groups (of 100 or more migrants) have been apprehended by Border Patrol so far this fiscal year—equaling more than 12,000 apprehensions. That compares to a total of 13 large groups in all of fiscal 2018.
In February alone, Border Patrol apprehended more than 66,000 people crossing the border illegally. A further 10,000 were detained after presenting at ports of entry without legal paperwork to enter the United States.
“At the current pace, we are on track to encounter close to one million illegal aliens at our southern border this year,” Department of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen told the House Homeland Security Committee on March 6.
El Paso Uptick
A recent 24-hour surge in El Paso, Texas, highlighted the issue. Border Patrol agents were inundated with several large groups of illegal aliens starting late on March 5.
Two large groups—consisting primarily of Central American families and unaccompanied minors—crossed the border fence near downtown El Paso. The first group contained 112 people and the second 252, according to CBP. Several smaller groups also crossed in different locations along the El Paso metro area. In one of the groups, border agents discovered an unaccompanied 2-year-old child.
In total, more than 700 illegal aliens were apprehended in the 24-hour period.
“While dealing with this influx of illegal aliens, Border Patrol agents also arrested two convicted sex offenders attempting to enter illegally, while the agents were preoccupied with the large groups,” CBP said in a statement. “Both sex offenders were arrested in different groups.”
Both subjects had previously served jail time in the United States before being deported, according to CBP.
Another six people were arrested further east, including one who was a U.S. citizen with a lengthy criminal record and an outstanding federal warrant for escape.
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