CBP Reports 27% Increase in Migrant Encounters at Southern Border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection data released last week revealed migrant encounters at the southern border increased 27% from June to July, with 183,503 recorded encounters in July. 

Details: Despite the uptick in total encounters recorded from June to July, numbers remain lower than June and July of 2022 and 2021. Additionally, encounters remain lower than in May, prior to the end of the Title 42 policy that allowed border patrol agents to more easily send migrants back across the border. Partially driving the July increase was a surge in family unit crossings. According to The Washington Post (Lean Left bias), smugglers in Latin American countries are telling migrants that adults traveling across the border with children are more likely to be released into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly countering smugglers’ claims in Latin American news outlets. 

Key Quotes: A statement from acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller read, “We remain vigilant and continue to adjust our operational plans to maximize enforcement efforts against those individuals who do not use lawful pathways or processes, knowing that smugglers continue to use disinformation to prey on vulnerable individuals.”

How the Media Covered It: The July data was covered most prominently in right-rated outlets. Some right-rated outlets, such as Fox News (Right bias) and The Daily Caller (Right bias) made no mention of smugglers’ claims potentially resulting in a spike in family crossings, while the Washington Post framed coverage exclusively around this factor.