The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported an impressive 85% reduction in migrant detentions between January 21 and 31 compared to the same period last year. This has been considered a direct result of measures implemented since January 20, according to the agency's acting commissioner, Pete Flores, who celebrated the first positive outcomes of the ongoing strategy.
"In simple terms, illegal aliens are being arrested, detained, and then swiftly expelled," noted a CBP spokesperson, highlighting the implementation of stricter rules to curb the influx of people into the United States. The agency emphasized that reasonable measures have been taken to ensure that illegal aliens are detained and expelled from the country in a timely manner.
During January, irregular migrant detentions significantly decreased, being a third of what was recorded in the same month last year, both at the U.S.-Mexico border and within the country. The 34.42% reduction in detentions was also highlighted, with 81,792 encounters recorded in January compared to 124,734 in December.
CBP has ceased the policy of capturing and releasing illegal aliens, which has been cited as one of the key reasons behind the drop in detentions. Additionally, collaboration with other U.S. agencies, including support from the Department of Defense (DOD), has been emphasized in a comprehensive government-wide approach to enhancing border security.
Commissioner Flores expressed that the reduction in the number of illegal aliens attempting to enter the United States, combined with an increase in repatriations, has allowed more officers and agents to focus on law enforcement tasks to make the border more secure.
