Immigration Crisis Overview

• 2022: 2.3 million desperate people attempting US border crossing
• 600,000 successfully evaded authorities as "gotaways"
• 853 migrant deaths in 2022 (deadliest year on record)
  • Previous record: 546 deaths in 2021
  • Historical range: 300-400 deaths annually
  • 2005 spike: 492 deaths
  • Since 1998: over 8,000 undocumented migrant deaths
• 2023: 2.4 million apprehensions/encounters (record-breaking)
• Death causes: drowning, falling, thirst, exhaustion, temperatures reaching 118°F
• Criminal violence from smuggling operations

Border Infrastructure and Enforcement

• 65 border patrol stations from San Clemente, CA to Brownsville, TX
• 1,954 miles of US-Mexico border
• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP): ~60,000 full-time employees
  • One of world's largest law enforcement organizations
  • Currently overstretched

Budget and Costs

• CBP 2022 budget: $14.643 billion
• Additional $1.018 billion for Southwest border encounters
• $6.159 billion for operations, hiring, surge requirements (26% increase)
• 2024 budget proposal: $25 billion for CBP and ICE ($800 million increase)
• Texas state allocation: $1.5 billion for additional border barriers

Encounter Statistics by Category

• 2023 total encounters: 3.2 million (all borders), 2.3 million (southern border)
• 2021: 1.7 million apprehensions
• Accompanied minors: 687 (2021) → 2,535 (2023)
• Family units: 79,794 (2020) → 821,537 (2023)
• Unaccompanied minors: 33,239 (2020) → 137,953 (2023)
• Single adults: 531,168 (2020) → 1,514,322 (2023)

Gotaways and Security Concerns

• 2022: 599,000 gotaways (near record)
• 2023: preliminary data shows 769,174 gotaways
• Former CBP Chief estimates could exceed 1 million
• October 2023: ~1,000 gotaways daily
• 169 people on FBI Terror watch list encountered in 2023

Drug and Criminal Seizures

• 2022: 25,900 lbs fentanyl seized (enough to kill 6 billion people)
• 32,900 aliens with criminal convictions arrested
• 598 known gang members, 178 MS-13 members
• Daily averages:
  • 2,895 lbs recreational drugs seized
  • $217,700 illicit currency seized
  • $8 million in intellectual property violations

Changing Immigration Patterns

• Historical shift from European (75% in 1960s) to Americas/Asian immigrants
• Current: 52% from Americas, 31% from Asia, ~10% European
• 1965: 9.6 million immigrants (5% of population)
• Present: ~45 million immigrants (14% of population)
• Top origin countries: Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Honduras, China

Migrant Demographics and Destinations

• Current US immigrant population by origin:
  • Mexicans: 10.6 million
  • Indians: 2.71 million
  • Chinese: 2.38 million
  • Filipinos: 1.98 million
  • Salvadorians: 1.42 million
• ~11 million undocumented immigrants in US (76% are legal)
• Mexican undocumented: 5.3 million (50% of Mexican immigrants)

Economic Factors and Remittances

• US minimum wage: $7.25/hour, average fast food: $12.83/hour
• Mexico minimum wage: $15.40/day
• Nicaragua: $213/month, El Salvador: $243/month
• 2018: 200 million migrant workers sent $689 billion home
• $529 billion to developing countries
• One in nine families worldwide supported by immigrant remittances

Smuggling Operations and Costs

• Smuggling costs: $2,000-$50,000 depending on origin/service level
• Color-coded wristbands for different service tiers
• Package deals vs. pay-as-you-go options
• Billion-dollar market on southern border alone
• 2022: 5,046 people arrested for human smuggling (up from 2,762 in 2014)

Dangerous Crossing Routes

• Darién Gap: 5,000 sq km tropical wilderness
• 2021-2023: crossings tripled
• 10-day journey, 14 hours daily hiking
• Natural dangers plus armed bandits
• Toll charges: ~$300 per person
• 492 reported attacks/kidnappings in months of 2021

Title 42 and Policy Changes

• COVID-19 pandemic policy allowing immediate deportation
• 2020: 90% immediately deported
• 2021: 50% deported
• 2022: 32% deported
• Title 42 ended, causing surge as migrants waited for policy change
• Expedited removal enacted for non-asylum seekers

Asylum Process Challenges

• 2 million+ asylum cases in backlog
• CBP One app technical issues
• Higher screening thresholds implemented
• Credible fear interviews required
• Venezuela: 472,000 granted temporary protected status

Sector-Specific Activity

• El Paso sector: busiest in 2023 with 427,071 encounters (39% increase)
• Del Rio sector: 393,000 encounters
• San Diego: 239,000 (31% increase)
• Eagle Pass, TX: 6,000 migrants in 2 days (town population 28,000)
• State of emergency declared

Death Toll and Dangers

• Rio Grande drowning deaths: 9 in one day near Eagle Pass
• 3-year-old body found floating
• Daily body recovery operations
• Dangerous currents and whirlpools
• 53 deaths in single human smuggling incident (deadliest in US history)

Global Migration Context

• 750 million people worldwide want to move (15% of global population)
• US most desired destination (20% of potential migrants)
• 16% of Americans want to leave US
• Immigration helping address US aging crisis (54 million over 65, projected 74 million by 2030)