WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released the following statement on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) border encounter numbers for February 2024:

“As expected, and even admitted by this administration, the January drop in border crossings was seasonal—even though that ‘drop’ still left us with a historic January total. Despite Secretary Mayorkas finally admitting that there is a border crisis after three years of lying to Congress and the American people, he continues to incentivize unlawful entry into the country with his mass catch-and-release and mass-parole programs. According to Border Patrol leadership, from chief patrol agents at the Rio Grande Valley Sector to the San Diego Sector, this incentive structure is perpetuating the crisis. Unless this administration reverses course, the country will continue to face the devastating consequences of Secretary Mayorkas’ self-inflicted, unprecedented crisis—for which he has now been impeached.”

Background:

According to CBP data, Southwest border encounters (189,922) marked a 21 percent increase compared to February 2023 and a seven percent increase compared to the previous month. Nationwide encounters (256,094) have increased 19 percent compared to the previous February, including a 38 percent increase in encounters at ports of entry alone (113,987 encounters, up from 82,364 in February 2023).

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