**DHS Reports Biden’s Order Reduced Unlawful Southern Border Migrant Entries by 40%**
**WASHINGTON –** The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported a significant reduction in unlawful migrant entries at the southern border following President Biden’s recent executive order. The order, which expanded a parole program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals, has led to a 40% decrease in illegal crossings, marking January 2023 as potentially the month with the lowest border encounters since February 2021.
**Dramatic Decline in Unlawful Entries**
Preliminary data from January indicates a 97% drop in encounters of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans attempting to cross the border unlawfully. The average daily encounters for these groups fell from 3,367 on December 11 to just 115 by January 24. This decline is particularly notable as encounters of other non-citizens have returned to typical levels following a seasonal dip during the holidays.
**Effective Border Enforcement Measures**
“These expanded border enforcement measures are working,” stated Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. He criticized states attempting to block these measures, arguing that such actions would only exacerbate irregular migration at the southern border.
On January 5, President Biden announced additional border enforcement measures aimed at curbing illegal immigration. These measures included expanding safe, lawful, and orderly pathways for migrants to enter the United States and making protection claims where applicable. The new policies also introduced consequences for those who bypass these legal pathways and attempt to cross the border without authorization.
**Impact of the New Measures**
The new measures have significantly reduced the number of Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, and Venezuelans seeking to cross the border illegally. The data suggests that when lawful and orderly pathways are available, individuals are less likely to risk their lives with smugglers.
The measures are modeled after successful programs previously implemented for Venezuelan, Ukrainian, and Afghan nationals. Since the parole program for Venezuelans was announced, the number of Venezuelans attempting to enter the U.S. unlawfully has continued to decline. Despite an overall rise in border encounters in December due to misinformation spread by smugglers about the Title 42 public health order, the number of Venezuelans encountered at the border dropped from approximately 1,100 per day to an average of 100 per day in January.
**Customs and Border Protection’s Role**
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the nation’s largest federal law enforcement agency, plays a crucial role in securing the nation’s borders and facilitating international travel and trade. CBP officers are responsible for screening all foreign visitors, returning American citizens, and imported cargo at over 300 ports of entry. The United States Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations are the uniformed law enforcement arms of CBP, tasked with securing U.S. borders between ports of entry.
**Challenges and Criticisms**
Despite the reported success of the new measures, the Biden Administration has faced criticism from various quarters. During a recent House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing, Chairman James Comer and other Republicans argued that the administration’s policies have led to the worst border crisis in American history. They called for a return to deterrent-focused policies to protect Americans and reduce the flow of migrants, narcotics, and crime at the southern border.
**Testimonies and Concerns**
Several experts testified at the hearing, expressing concerns about the administration’s approach. Thomas D. Homan, Retired Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accused President Biden of intentionally unsecuring the border. He argued that the administration’s failure to enforce immigration laws has led to significant suffering and death for both Americans and migrants.
Joseph B. Edlow, Former Acting Director and Chief Counsel of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), claimed that the administration’s policies have exacerbated the border crisis. He pointed to a direct correlation between these policies and the increasing number of encounters, known and unknown got-aways, and backlogs at USCIS and immigration courts.
**Calls for Policy Changes**
Chairman Comer emphasized that the border crisis is not a money problem but a policy problem. He argued that providing more funds without changing policies would not solve the crisis. Instead, he called for policies that would lead to more detentions and removals of illegal aliens.
**Border Patrol Struggles**
Witnesses at the hearing highlighted the challenges faced by Border Patrol agents. Homan noted that the overwhelming number of encounters has forced agents to focus on processing large groups of migrants, leaving vast stretches of the border unpatrolled.
**Impact on National Security and Public Safety**
The hearing also addressed the broader implications of the border crisis. Representative Glenn Grothman pointed out the unprecedented flow of illegal immigration, while Representative Jim Jordan argued that the administration’s policies incentivize illegal immigration. Representative Virginia Foxx criticized the administration for not enforcing existing laws, and Representative Andy Biggs emphasized the role of cartels in exploiting the border chaos to traffic narcotics.
**Conclusion**
The DHS report indicates that President Biden’s executive order has had a significant impact on reducing unlawful migrant entries at the southern border. However, the administration continues to face criticism and calls for policy changes to address the ongoing border crisis. The debate over the best approach to border security and immigration enforcement is likely to continue as the administration seeks to balance humanitarian concerns with national security and public safety.
**Source:** Department of Homeland Security, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
