U.S. Border Patrol Encounters at the Southwest Border: Fact Sheet
Abstract
In FY2022, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) encountered more than 2.2 million foreign nationals (aliens) crossing into the United States illegally between ports of entry, the largest number in its history. In the first six months of FY2023, USBP encountered nearly 1.1 million migrants. These migrants were either placed into removal proceedings under Title 8 of the U.S. Code (immigration law) or expelled from the United States under Title 42 (public health). Prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, all apprehended migrants were processed under Title 8 and placed into removal proceedings, where they could apply for asylum or other humanitarian protections. On March 20, 2020, in response to the pandemic, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) invoked authority under Title 42 to limit entry of certain foreign nationals to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19, including those intending to apply for asylum and other humanitarian protections. The order directed the Department of Homeland Security's (DHSs) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to immediately expel certain unauthorized migrants at land borders back to the country from which they arrived, or to their country of citizenship, without providing them with the opportunity to apply for asylum. Title 42 implementation changed in protocol and practice throughout its more than three-year duration. The March 2020 public health emergency declared by HHS expired on May 11, 2023, which also ended Title 42. A host of policy changes have been implemented as of that date.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1209247
Entities
People
- Audrey Singer
- Sylvia L Bryan
Organizations
- Congressional Research Service