Southern border at 'breaking point' after more than 76,000 illegal immigrants tried crossing in February, officials say

More than 76,000 people tried to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in February — a "remarkable" leap that more than doubles the number of border apprehensions during the same period of time last year, and is also the highest number of any February in the past 12 years, according to officials.

The system is "well beyond capacity, and remains at the breaking point," U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan told reporters on Tuesday as the agency released the "record numbers" of those trying to enter the U.S. through the southern border.