US border authorities detained more than 210,000 migrants attempting to cross the border with Mexico in March, the highest monthly total in two decades and underscoring the challenges ahead for US President Joe Biden.
Biden, a Democrat who took office in January 2021, pledged to reverse many of the immigration policies of his Republican predecessor, former President Donald Trump, but has struggled both operationally and politically with the high number of crossing attempts.
The total for March represents a 241,000 increase compared to the same month last year, when 169,000 migrants were apprehended at the border. This also marks the third time the number of migrants apprehended has exceeded 200,000 during his administration. These figures could be a prelude to what lies ahead with the expiration of Title 42 on May 23. It's important to remember that the termination of this Title, which allows for the mass expulsion of hundreds of migrants to prevent the spread of COVID-19, is based on the recommendation of health officials.
Similarly, according to the data presented, 221,303 immigrants were processed last month, surpassing the previous peak under the Biden administration in July 2021, when US officials recorded 213,593 encounters with migrants.
On the other hand, although more than half of the migrants encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent months come from traditional countries of origin—Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador—increasing numbers of migrants are arriving from distant places like Ukraine and Russia. U.S. authorities are preparing for up to 18,000 encounters with migrants per day in the coming weeks.
Finally, the more than 210,000 migrants detained in March, a figure made public in a court filing Friday night, is the highest monthly total recorded since February 2000, according to statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Note compiled with information from: LaRazon.es and UNIVISION
