**Mayorkas Highlights Drop in Border Encounters in First Visit Since Impeachment Vote**
In his first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border since the House of Representatives voted to impeach him, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized a significant decrease in border encounters. This visit comes amid heightened scrutiny and political tension surrounding his handling of border security and migration policies.
**Dramatic Drop in Border Encounters**
Recent data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed a substantial decline in migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border. January saw a 50% drop in Border Patrol apprehensions compared to December, marking the steepest one-month decline in over 24 years. The number of apprehensions fell from a record high of 249,735 in December to 124,220 in January, making it the third-quietest month of the Biden administration’s tenure.
The decrease in encounters was particularly notable among Venezuelan migrants, with apprehensions dropping by 91%. This shift saw Venezuela fall from the second to the seventh most common nationality among apprehended migrants.
**Factors Contributing to the Decline**
Several factors have been suggested to explain this dramatic drop in border encounters:
1. **Rumors and Misinformation**: False rumors about a year-end border closure or a halt in CBP One appointments may have prompted a rush of asylum seekers to cross into the U.S. before the end of the year, leading to fewer crossings in January.
2. **Seasonal Patterns**: Historically, migrant apprehensions tend to decrease from December to January due to colder weather and rain along migration routes. This pattern has been consistent since 2014, with the exception of a slight increase in January 2021.
3. **Mexican Government Crackdown**: Increased enforcement by Mexican authorities has also played a role. For instance, a new military and National Guard command center near Jacumba Hot Springs, California, has been effective in blocking northbound migrants.
**Shifts in Migration Routes**
The Tucson, Arizona sector of the Border Patrol led all nine U.S.-Mexico border sectors in apprehensions, with 50,565 encounters in January. This sector has seen a significant increase in activity, moving from fifth place in December 2022 to first place. The San Diego, California sector also saw a rise, moving from sixth to second place.
Further south, migration numbers have generally decreased. In Ciudad Juárez, across from El Paso, a municipal human rights official described the current period as one of the lowest migrant presences in recent memory. Similarly, Honduras reported a 10% decrease in migrants transiting its territory in January.
**Political Fallout and Impeachment Proceedings**
The drop in border encounters comes at a politically charged time for Secretary Mayorkas. House Republicans recently succeeded in impeaching him, arguing that his handling of border security constitutes “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The impeachment now moves to the Democratic-majority Senate, where a conviction is highly unlikely.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) has been a vocal critic of Mayorkas, accusing him of defying laws passed by Congress and multiple court orders. Green’s committee has concluded a five-phase investigation into Mayorkas’s actions, which they claim have led to a border crisis.
**Senate’s Response to Border and Migration Issues**
The Senate recently passed a supplemental appropriation bill for emergency aid to Ukraine, Israel, and other foreign priorities, but it did not include any new border or migration-related content. This decision followed the collapse of a negotiated “border deal” that would have imposed new limits on the right to seek asylum.
The bill now faces opposition in the Republican-majority House, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has stated he will not bring it to debate without new border restrictions. This has led to a standoff between the House and Senate, with potential implications for future border security funding and policies.
**Humanitarian Concerns and Border Conditions**
Amid the political turmoil, humanitarian issues at the border continue to draw attention. Reports from various organizations highlight the challenges faced by migrants, including confiscation of belongings by Border Patrol, discrimination against Black asylum seekers, and increased incidents of sexual violence.
In Arizona, humanitarian volunteers recently evacuated a group of about 400 migrants waiting to turn themselves in to Border Patrol, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the border.
**Conclusion**
Secretary Mayorkas’s visit to the border and the significant drop in migrant encounters come at a critical juncture. While the decrease in border crossings may provide some relief, the political and humanitarian challenges surrounding U.S. border security and migration policies remain complex and contentious.
As the Senate prepares to address the impeachment proceedings and potential new border legislation, the future of U.S. border policy continues to hang in the balance.
Source: WOLA, Punchbowl News, Just the News
