In a significant shift, Venezuelans have surpassed Mexicans as the largest nationality arrested for illegally crossing the U.S. border, according to figures released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In September, Venezuelans were apprehended at the border 54,833 times, more than double the number of arrests in August. This marks the first time that Venezuelans have overtaken Mexicans in terms of illegal border crossings.

The total number of arrests for all nationalities entering from Mexico reached 218,763 in September, a 21% increase from the previous month. This figure is approaching the all-time high of 222,018 arrests recorded in December 2022. The Biden administration has faced mounting challenges in addressing the historic levels of migration, with the number of arrests surpassing 2 million for the second consecutive year.

The influx of Venezuelans can be attributed to the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that has plagued the country in recent years. Over 7 million people have been forced to leave Venezuela, initially settling in neighboring Latin American countries before making their way to the United States. Cities like New York and Chicago have seen a significant increase in Venezuelan migrants in the past three years.

To address the situation, the Biden administration recently announced temporary legal status for nearly 500,000 Venezuelans who were already in the United States as of July 31. However, the administration has also vowed to deport those who enter the country illegally after that date and fail to seek asylum. In a diplomatic thaw with the government of Nicolas Maduro, the United States has initiated deportation flights to Venezuela.

Troy Miller, the acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, acknowledged the challenges at the border and emphasized the deployment of additional resources and personnel in September. The agency is working with domestic and foreign partners to address the migration crisis and enforce consequences for illegal crossings, including preparing for direct repatriations to Venezuela.

The shift in the demographics of illegal border crossings reflects a broader trend in recent years. While Mexicans have traditionally accounted for the majority of illegal crossings, there has been a shift towards Central Americans, as well as individuals from South America, Africa, and Asia. Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Colombians rounded out the top five nationalities arrested at the border in September.

The Republican Party has seized on these numbers, highlighting the ongoing crisis at the Southwest border as a major issue in the upcoming presidential elections. Representative Mark Green of Tennessee, the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized the policies of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and argued that the crisis continues to escalate.

In response to the situation, the Biden administration has proposed approximately $14 billion for border security in a $106 billion spending package. The administration has emphasized the need for long-term solutions and called for assistance from Congress. The approach has involved offering new legal pathways to seek asylum while imposing restrictions on those who do not adhere to the established processes.

The report also revealed a significant increase in legal crossings through various pathways. Approximately 43,000 migrants entered the country at land crossings with Mexico in September using the CBP One mobile app, bringing the total to nearly 278,000 since the online appointment system was introduced in January. Additionally, over 265,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela entered the United States through airports after applying online with financial sponsors.

Overall, September witnessed a new all-time high of 269,735 crossings, including both illegal and legal entries, and a new budget-year high of nearly 2.5 million crossings. The statistics also highlighted that 18 individuals on the FBI's terror watchlist were arrested at the southern border in September, making fiscal year 2023 a record year for encounters with individuals on the watchlist. The number exceeds the previous year's record and the combined total of encounters from the past six fiscal years.

The situation at the U.S.-Mexico border remains a complex challenge for the Biden administration, requiring a multifaceted approach that addresses both illegal and legal migration. As the demographics of those crossing the border continue to evolve, policymakers face the task of implementing effective policies that prioritize border security while addressing the root causes driving migration from countries like Venezuela.