Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
“In June 2016, apprehensions by the Border Patrol on our southwest border – an indicator of total attempts to cross the border illegally – decreased from the levels we saw in May and April. Year to date, apprehensions are somewhat higher than in FY 2015, but significantly lower than FY 2014 and FY 2013:
In February 2016, apprehensions by the Border Patrol on our southwest border – an indicator of total attempts to cross the border illegally – increased slightly from January, but remained substantially below the month-to-month numbers of apprehensions we saw in the latter part of 2015. The numbers of unaccompanied children and family members remained at the same levels as January, which is greatly reduced from the apprehension numbers at the end of 2015. The overall 10 percent increase from January is due to an increase in apprehensions of single adults, from 17,505 in January to 19,917 in February, 71.5 percent of whom are from Mexico. Notably, one year ago, in February 2015, the number of apprehensions of single adults was 19,950, and in February 2014 the number was 28,277.
Leadership from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, and Mexico’s Secretariat of Government today announced the finalization of negotiations for the nine Local Repatriation Arrangements along the U.S.-Mexico border.
When Pope Francis visited the U.S.-Mexico border this week, CBP agents and officers provided a safe and secure experience for travelers heading to Juarez, Mexico. Juarez is directly across the border from El Paso, Texas and the mass held that Wednesday was only 300 yards from the U.S. border.
In connection with the latest monthly release of the numbers of apprehensions on our southwest border, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson made the following statement:
As I have said repeatedly, our borders are not open to illegal migration; if you come here illegally, we will send you back consistent with our laws and values.
Como he dicho en muchas ocasiones, nuestras fronteras no están abiertas a la inmigración ilegal; si usted viene a este país, le enviaremos de vuelta de acuerdo a lo que dictan nuestras leyes y valores.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations Assistant Commissioner Todd Owen addresses the role of CBP in combating the flow of dangerous narcotics into the United States.
Last summer, this Department took a number of steps to respond to an unprecedented influx in illegal migration from Central America. Many of those apprehended at the border were adults who brought their children with them. In response to this influx, we increased our family residential center capacity. We recognize, however, the special concerns involved in detaining families with children. And over the past several months, we have implemented significant reforms to how we operate our family residential centers. We are also engaging with stakeholders to listen and discuss their concerns, and will continue to make additional improvements when appropriate. We have established a Federal Advisory Committee with experts in mental health, family and youth services, and other areas to advise on our policies going forward.
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has joined Public Safety Canada and the Secretariat of Governance of Mexico in outlining the first steps toward the creation of a North American Trusted Traveler network. The new agreement signed by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson on July 10, 2015 and his Canadian and Mexican counterparts will make it easier for eligible travelers in the United States, Mexico and Canada to apply for expedited screening programs, helping to promote legitimate travel across the continent.
