Over 221,000 Migrant Encounters Reported in March, Highest since Biden Took Office

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 221,303 migrant encounters at the southern border in March, according to a Friday court filing by the agency, in the highest monthly total since President Biden assumed office.

The previous monthly high was 213,593 encounters recorded in July 2021, according to U.S. CBP data. Because some migrants attempt to enter the U.S. several times, the number of encounters can include multiple attempts by the same migrant.

Of the encounters recorded in March 2022, 209,906 were apprehended by the Border Patrol after crossing from Mexico into the U.S. illegally outside of official crossing areas. That number tops the previous high recorded during Biden’s tenure — 200,658 in July 2021 — and is the highest monthly total recorded since March 2000, when the Border Patrol detained 220,063 illegal crossers.