The U.S. Border Patrol saw a decline in migrant encounters in April, with 128,900 encounters recorded between ports of entry along the southwest border. This figure was 30% lower than in April 2023 and 6% lower than in March. CBP officials stated that resources and personnel are being surged to impacted sectors along the border to ensure safe and orderly processing of individuals for expedited removals. However, separate figures obtained by Fox News revealed that there were 1.6 million known gotaways from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2023, raising concerns about unidentified individuals evading capture.
Known gotaways are illegal immigrants who are detected via surveillance methods but are never apprehended. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens stated that the risk posed by gotaways at the southern border is concerning, as these individuals are unknown in terms of their origins, intentions, and potential threats they may pose. In April, CBP processed 41,400 people through appointments at ports of entry submitted through the CBP One app, with over 591,000 appointments scheduled since the app’s introduction in January 2023. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has acknowledged changes in migration flows and highlighted the administration’s efforts to address the situation.
There has been criticism of Mayorkas for the record numbers of migrants entering the U.S., with concerns about the impact of undocumented individuals evading capture. The shift in migration patterns has been noted, with Mayorkas stating that before 2013, the majority of individuals attempting to cross the border did so without being caught. Under the current administration, the annual apprehension rate has averaged 78%, similar to the previous administration’s average rate. The issue of gotaways continues to be a challenge for border security officials.
The unknown nature of individuals who evade capture at the border presents a significant risk and threat to national security. Authorities are working to address this issue through the deployment of additional resources and personnel to impacted areas along the border. The use of surveillance technology and tracking methods is crucial in identifying and apprehending individuals who attempt to cross the border illegally. The ongoing efforts of CBP and Border Patrol aim to ensure the safety of both migrants and the general public while maintaining border security.
The introduction of the CBP One app has facilitated the processing of individuals through appointments at ports of entry, streamlining the procedures for those seeking legal entry into the U.S. Despite the decline in migrant encounters in April, the issue of known gotaways remains a concern for border security officials. The continued efforts to address these challenges are crucial in maintaining effective border control and ensuring the safety and security of the U.S. border.
