Illegal migrant crossings skyrocket 50-fold under Biden-Harris admin at northern border stretch that includes New York


Illegal migrant crossings skyrocket 50-fold under Biden-Harris admin at northern border stretch that includes New York

Published Oct. 3, 2024, 10:18 a.m. ET The number of migrants caught crossing a stretch of the US-Canada border that includes northern New York has skyrocketed — increasing more than 50-fold under the Biden-Harris administration. This year, illegal crossings surpassed the number for the last 17 years combined. The Border Patrol agents in the Swanton sector — which includes more than 200 miles of land border between Maine and the St. Lawrence River in New York — apprehended more than 19,000 illegal migrants from 97 different countries in fiscal year 2024, the Border Patrol chief for the sector, Robert Garcia, said this week. The number of crossings from Canada is smaller compared to the southern border, where 54,000 illegal border crossings were recorded in September alone. However, they have been increasing at incredible pace. In fiscal year 2021, just 365 illegal crossers were caught in the sector. The numbers climbed to more than 1,000 in 2022, and then nearly 7,000 last fiscal year. Across the whole northern border, crossings have increased massively in recent years — with nearly 190,000 illegal migrants caught crossing from Canada in fiscal year 2023. That’s more than six times as many illegal crossers as in 2021. Figures for fiscal year 2024 crossings look likely to be close to 2023 levels. Border Patrol Agents in Swanton Sector have apprehended more than 19,222 subjects from 97 different countries since October 1, 2023, which is more than its last 17 fiscal years combined. Report suspicious border activity in Swanton Sector: 1-800-689-3362 @USBPChief@CBP@DHSgov pic.twitter.com/BhUaYYi15B — Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia (@USBPChiefSWB) October 2, 2024 One reason the northern border has seen a recent surge while crossings on the southern border are falling is that the 5,500-mile stretch is not affected by the new Biden-Harris administration’s asylum restrictions. The rules — similar to a Trump administration policy — restrict illegal border crossers from accessing the years-long asylum process The policy remains in effect at the southern border, where it bars asylum access until illegal crossings fall below an average of 1,500 per day for a month. “The executive order doesn’t affect us,” a Border Patrol source at the northern border previously told The Post. “Family units are getting released and singles are sent to detention for adjudication.”