Customs and Border Protection data reveals a significant increase in illegal immigration under President Biden’s administration compared to former President Trump’s tenure. Despite recent claims by Biden officials about lower border apprehension numbers in June, the data tells a different story.
During Trump’s presidency, the number of border crossings remained relatively stable, with a peak of 851,508 in 2019 before dropping back down to 400,651 in 2020. In contrast, the data shows a dramatic spike in illegal immigration after Biden took office, with border apprehensions reaching over 200,000 per month by July 2021.
In Biden’s first year in office, border crossings soared to 1,734,686, more than quadrupling the previous year and surpassing the worst year under Trump. The trend continued in subsequent years, with CBP on track to reach similar numbers in 2024.
While White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted a decrease in apprehensions in June 2024, the comparison to previous years can be misleading. The total for 2024 has already exceeded that of 2019 by a significant margin, despite the lower numbers in June.
Criticism of the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies has been mounting, with Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance calling out Vice President Harris for her role in the crisis. Vance emphasized the need to address issues such as catch-and-release, asylum processing, and border security to effectively tackle illegal immigration.
The data paints a clear picture of the challenges faced by the Biden administration in managing the surge of migrants at the border. As the debate over immigration policy continues, the numbers provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of different approaches to border security and enforcement.