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For the First Time, More Venezuelans Than Mexicans Illegally Cross US Border in September

In a historic turn for September, Venezuelans surpassed Mexicans as the most apprehended nationality for unlawful entries at the U.S. southern border, a first in documented history.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s recent monthly summary, published on a Saturday, indicated a 21% spike in incidents involving individuals of various nationalities trying to enter the U.S. through unauthorized southwest border points. Encounters in September 2023 totaled 218,763, a significant jump from 181,084 in the preceding month.

Records show a noteworthy increase in Venezuelan arrests, with figures reaching 54,833 after they crossed from Mexico in September. This number not only doubles the arrests from August, which stood at 22,090, but also significantly surpasses the prior monthly record of 33,749 set in September 2022. Whereas Mexican nationals historically led in illegal crossings for years, trends have evolved over the past decade, displaying a rise in migrants from Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia.

In contrast, September saw 39,733 Mexican apprehensions, trailing considerably behind Venezuelans. Nationals from Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia completed the top five list.

In response to the escalating situation, the Biden administration offered temporary legal status to almost half a million Venezuelans present in the U.S. as of July 31. Concurrently, it affirmed the deportation of individuals entering unlawfully post this date and not qualifying for asylum. The administration has initiated deportation flights to Venezuela amid easing tensions with Nicolás Maduro’s government. In a statement, acting Customs and Border Protection commissioner Troy Miller mentioned the U.S. had bolstered its border resources and personnel in September.

Miller emphasized ongoing collaboration with local and international partners to manage the unprecedented hemispheric migration surge, which includes large groups journeying via cargo trains, and preparing for direct repatriations to Venezuela.

Data indicates a decrease in encounters involving Mexican nationals along the southwest border, with 53,296 incidents in September, falling from August’s 55,493 and September 2022’s 63,431. These figures encompass both individuals caught in illegal crossings and those processed at legal entry points.

Encounters with Chinese and Russian nationals in September stood at 4,042 and 1,779, respectively, showing a variable trend compared to previous months. The number of Chinese encounters marked a significant jump from 399 in September 2022.

The year has seen almost 2.5 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, with single adults constituting approximately 1.5 million of this number. Despite a slight decrease in arrests during the fiscal year ending on September 30, the numbers remained above 2 million for the second consecutive year.

Around 43,000 migrants legally entered the U.S. through Mexican land crossings using the CBP One app in September, part of nearly 278,000 since the system’s introduction in January. Additionally, over 265,000 individuals from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela arrived via airports after securing online applications with financial backers. Including these legal avenues, September witnessed an unprecedented monthly total of 269,735 crossings, contributing to a new annual record of nearly 2.5 million.

In the wake of these events, the Biden administration announced a proposed $14 billion border-related allocation within a $106 billion budget plan.

A new record was also set regarding individuals on the FBI’s terror watchlist apprehended at the southern border, with 18 arrests in September and 169 during the fiscal year 2023, surpassing the totals of the previous six years.