Record shattered: 50,000 Venezuelans illegally crossed US border last month.
Record Number of Venezuelan Immigrants Cross U.S. Border
A record number of illegal immigrants from Venezuela crossed the U.S. southern border in September, according to Department of Homeland Security preliminary data.
Around 50,000 Venezuelans illegally entered the U.S. last month, shattering the monthly record of 34,000 set in September 2022, according to the DHS data that was obtained by CBS News on Wednesday. The data show that on some days, up to 3,000 Venezuelan migrants crossed the border, and illegal immigrants from the country made up roughly one-quarter of the more than 200,000 Border Patrol apprehensions in September.
The spike in illegal crossings made by Venezuelan nationals came the same month that the Biden administration gave permission to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants from Venezuela to stay and work in the U.S. as federal officials insist it would be unsafe for them to return home.
“Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement on September 21. “That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived here on or before July 31 of this year find themselves in.”
More than seven million Venezuelans have fled the socialist regime in recent years, according to the United Nations, as the country faces economic collapse. The Venezuelan crisis has caused the largest migrant exodus in the world, surpassing the migrant exodus in Syria and Ukraine.
After the spike of Venezuelans illegally entering the U.S. in 2022, the Biden administration unveiled a strategy to curb the sky-high numbers by working with the Mexican government to take some Venezuelan nationals. The federal government also worked to allow other migrants to fly to the U.S. if Americans sponsored them. Illegal border crossing by Venezuelans dropped from September 2022 through February 2023, but quickly shot back up before reaching the all-time high last month.
Daily illegal border crossings have neared record highs as border facilities are slammed with migrants and officials are mass releasing illegal immigrants into the U.S. interior while thousands more stream into the country. The strain at the U.S. border is felt by communities from small border towns to major American cities.
New York City Mayor Urges Potential Migrants to Stay Away
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced he will visit Latin America this week and personally tell potential migrants not to come to New York City. Since last year, more than 117,000 migrants have arrived in the Big Apple, and many of them are still being housed and fed on taxpayer dollars. New York City is expected to spend up to $5 billion dealing with the migrant crisis.
Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.
How are humanitarian aid organizations and local communities along the border being impacted by the increase in illegal crossings, and what challenges do they face in providing assistance to the growing number of immigrants
Font-weight: 400″>resulting in Venezuelans seeking refuge in neighboring countries as well as in the United States.
The decision by the Biden administration to grant temporary protected status to Venezuelan immigrants has been criticized by some as it may potentially incentivize more illegal crossings. Critics argue that providing legal status and work permits to Venezuelan immigrants could attract even more individuals to cross the border illegally in hopes of receiving similar treatment.
The surge in Venezuelan immigrants adds to the ongoing border crisis faced by the United States. Throughout the year, the U.S. southern border has been overwhelmed by an influx of illegal immigrants from various countries, including Mexico, Central America, and now Venezuela. The crowded conditions in detention facilities and the strain on Border Patrol resources have raised concerns about national security and immigration policy.
The increase in illegal crossings also poses challenges for humanitarian aid organizations and local communities along the border. These organizations and communities must provide assistance and support to the growing number of immigrants, placing additional strain on already limited resources.
The Biden administration has recognized the need for comprehensive immigration reform, acknowledging that the current system is outdated and ineffective. Efforts are being made to address the root causes of migration from countries like Venezuela, focusing on improving conditions within these nations to discourage individuals from fleeing.
Additionally, the U.S. government is working to enhance border security and implement more effective immigration policies. This includes investing in technology and infrastructure to better detect and prevent illegal crossings, as well as improving the asylum process to provide timely and fair adjudication of cases.
The situation involving Venezuelan immigrants crossing the U.S. southern border highlights the urgency of finding viable and humane solutions to the ongoing migrant crisis. Addressing the challenges posed by mass migration requires a multi-faceted approach that combines border security, immigration reform, and international cooperation to tackle the root causes driving people to leave their homes.
As the number of Venezuelan immigrants reaching the U.S. continues to rise, it is crucial for the government to develop comprehensive strategies that balance compassion with national security, ensuring the safety and well-being of both American citizens and those seeking refuge within its borders.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Auto Amazon Links: Could not resolve the given unit type, . Please be sure to update the auto-insert definition if you have deleted the unit.