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November saw nearly a quarter of a million migrant encounters at the southern border, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on Friday, making it the third-busiest month of a migrant crisis that has smashed records and overwhelmed Border Patrol agents.

There were 242,418 migrant encounters at the southern border in November, including migrant encounters at ports of entry and illegal immigrant encounters by Border Patrol between ports of entry.

Its higher than the 235,173 encountered during Nov. 22, and is only behind September (269,735) and December 2022 (252,315) in terms of the number of migrants encountered. It is the highest November number on record.

Meanwhile, there were 17 apprehensions of people on the terror watch list in November.

MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS AT BORDER SOAR PAST THE 200K MARK IN DECEMBER, WITH OVER A WEEK STILL TO GO

It comes as Border Patrol has been dealing with increased numbers after a FY 23 that broke the record for encounters in a single fiscal year. Agents have been overwhelmed by a surge of migrants from across the globe in places like Lukeville, Arizona, and Eagle Pass, Texas.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Monday saw a record 12,600 encounters, the highest recorded in a single day. CBP sources told Fox this week that December has already exceeded 200,000 encounters and could easily eclipse Novembers numbers given that agents are encountering 10,000+ a day.

Meanwhile, sources told Fox News on Friday that Border Patrol has released more than 386,000 illegal immigrants into the U.S. with Notices to Appear since Oct. 1. That does not include those released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and does not include migrants paroled into the U.S. via the CBP One app at ports of entry.

Republicans have blamed the crisis on Biden-era policies, including the rolling back of policies put in place by the Trump administration, and have passed legislation in the House to limit releases and increase border security. The Biden administration has said it needs more funding and its own sweeping legislation to fix a "broken" system and deal with a hemisphere-wide crisis. Meanwhile, it has said it is increasing consequences for illegal entry while expanding "lawful pathways."

In a statement, CBP said it had surged resources to respond to increases and is screening every individual encountered. It said that since May, over 400,000 individuals have been removed from the country.

"CBP continues to execute its important mission to protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nations economic prosperity by implementing operational plans, surging personnel and decompressing areas along the southwest border while processing and vetting migrants who are encountered humanely, safely, and efficiently, consistent with our laws. We are facing a serious challenge along the southwest border and CBP and our federal partners need more resources from Congress as outlined in the supplemental budget request to enhance border security and Americas national security." acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller said in a statement. "Despite ongoing challenges, in November, the men and women of CBP continued their tireless work and recorded increased seizures of illegal narcotics while facilitating lawful trade and increased holiday travel."

The White House this week had appeared to downplay the crisis, saying that such increases in numbers are "not unusual."

5,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RELEASED EVERY DAY INTO US, ADMIN OFFICIALS PRIVATELY TELL LAWMAKERS

"What were seeing here at the border, the increased migration flow, certainly, it ebbs and flows. And were at a time of the year where were seeing more at the border. And its not unusual. This is an immigration system that has been broken for decades. And the president has taken this very seriously to try to do more. Thats why we have the comprehensive immigration policy legislation that the president put forth on day one," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Negotiations are ongoing in Congress for the White Houses supplemental funding request, which includes $14 billion for border operations. Republicans have demanded limits on asylum and restrictions on the use of parole. President Biden has said he is open to "significant compromises" but so far a deal has not been reached, despite optimism from lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the administration continues to face pressure from state and local officials at the border and elsewhere in the U.S. Mayors of sanctuary cities like Chicago and New York City have demanded more funding to help them deal with the massive numbers of migrants they have seen come to their cities and that have strained their social services.

Last week, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced that she was mobilizing the National Guard to help federal officials and attempt to reopen the Lukeville port of entry, while accusing the federal government of inaction.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, meanwhile, has expanded his transports of migrants to "sanctuary" cities by flying migrants into Chicago. He also signed an immigration bill this week to allow law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants in an attempt to stop what he called a "tidal wave" of illegal immigration.

Meanwhile, the Border Patrol union made clear agents' displeasure with the way the crisis is being handled.

"While our agents are more than willing to sacrifice the holidays to protect fellow Americans, thats not what they will be doing," National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd said on Friday. "They will be processing the illegal border crossers for release into the U.S. while large parts of the border will be left wide open to exploitation by organized crime. These will not be happy holidays for the hard working men and women of the Border Patrol."

Original article source: November saw nearly quarter of a million migrant encounters amid new border surge

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November saw nearly quarter of a million migrant encounters amid new border surge - Yahoo News

LUKEVILLLE, Ariz. (KGUN) Two weeks ago, Customs and Border Protection closed the Lukeville Port of Entry to focus resources on processing the thousands of migrants gathered at the Southern Arizona border.

On Friday, this prompted Governor Katie Hobbs to order the Arizona National Guard to the border.

Even as additional resources are deployed to handle the effects of the migrant crisis, there is not an extra layer of personnel standing at the border to process migrants.

Gov. Hobbs' executive order specifies the National Guard is to augment and support local law enforcement and the Arizona Department of Public Safety, separate entities than the federally-run Customs and Border Protection.

At this point, it is unclear where the guardsmen are helping address the crisis or how. A spokesperson for the Arizona National Guard tells KGUN 9 this information is not releasable at this time.

The CBP has not commented on Gov. Hobbs deployment of the National Guard.

Monday saw more manageable migrant numbers at the border wall near Lukeville, but dozens of families and single adults from several countries including Guatemala and Senegal remained.

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- Ryan Fish is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9 and comes to the Sonoran Desert from Californias Central Coast after working as a reporter, sports anchor and weather forecaster in Santa Barbara. Ryan grew up in the Chicago suburbs, frequently visiting family in Tucson. Share your story ideas and important issues with Ryan by emailing ryan.fish@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook and Twitter.

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Arizona National Guard, CBP responding separately to migrant crisis - KGUN 9 Tucson News

Dec 22, 2023, 12:01amUpdated 1d ago

More than 100,000 migrantshave arrived in New York City in the past year.The city says its resources are maxed out. Some say it may take divine intervention to solve this crisis.

One of our enduring values is that we welcome the stranger, that we see whats sacred in each other and respond with compassion to our neighbors who are vulnerable, Bishop Matthew Heyd told News 12 New York.

Heyd is one of the leaders asking the city to consider contracts with some of the thousands of local faith-based organizations.Former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is also involved in the push.She says the organizations would contract with the city at a rate of $74 a night.

Housing someone in a hotel, which is what the city is mostly doing, costs over $300 a night. You add that up, ifwe were to move folks to faith-based institutions, the city would save $543 million at least, she said. Organizers tell News 12 New York that one hurdle has been getting the historical buildings up to New York City fire code, as somedonthave sprinklers. City Hall told News 12 in a statement:

We are working to bring more interested houses of worship into full FDNY and DOB compliance as the safety of asylum seekers is always our top priority.

Quinn says theresa simple solution.

The answer to the lack of sprinklers is to have a fire warden be on the floor.Someone whosconstantly watching to see whatsgoing on, she said.

The program has been rolled out to about 50 faith-based organizations so far with 15 beds each.Leaders are asking the city to increase that number to 5,000 migrants. Our faith communities are safe and comfortable places,and we think that we can extend that to our newest New Yorkers. People fleeing danger from wherever they are from, Heyd added.

Excerpt from:
Faith leaders ask NYC to contract faith-based organizations to help with migrant crisis - News 12 Bronx

Mayor Adams called on New Yorkers to go to Washington, D.C., to voice concern about the citys migrant crisis and budget cuts hes blamed on the influx of new arrivals.

The heart and soul of who we are as Americans is to go to our center of government and raise our voices when we believe government is not responding accordingly, he said Tuesday at a City Hall press conference. Im not pushing this off on New Yorkers. Im saying to New Yorkers: Youre angry and Im angry and the source of our discontent lies in Washington, D.C.

Adams statement came less than two weeks after a poll showed his popularity has declined steeply amid budget cuts and no end in sight to more migrants flowing into the five boroughs.

Since shortly after Adams took office,more than 150,000 asylum seekers have streamed into the city, pushing agencies to their limit.

Adams and top officials in his administration have demanded both the federal and state governments provide more help and the mayor has repeatedly called on his fellow elected officials to lobby President Biden and federal lawmakers for help him toward that end.

On Tuesday, Adams extended that call to everyday New Yorkers. How willing they are to take him up on it is unclear, though.

Caring for the migrants has significantly hit the city in the pocketbook. The mayor has estimated that managing the crisis will cost the city $12 billion by the end of fiscal year 2025, leading to budget cuts to essential services like the NYPD, the Sanitation Department and libraries.

The situation has begun to seriously cut into his polling numbers. A Quinnipiac University survey put out on Dec. 6 showed that Adams approval rating hit an all-time low of 28%.

On Tuesday, he brushed aside the idea that hes foisting responsibility for the migrant crisis on ordinary New Yorkers.

Say to the national government, This is not fair, whats happening to New York City,' he said. It is my role to educate them. This is who is responsible for what were seeing in the city of New York.

Go here to read the rest:
Mayor Adams urges New Yorkers to go to Washington and complain about migrant crisis, budget - New York Daily News

Regarding the editorial Spiraling migrant crisis, not Gaza, needs full City Council attention (Dec. 20): I agree with the Tribune Editorial Board. I remember the states impressive emergency medical facility at McCormick Place during the COVID-19 crisis. I see the difference now when a different international crisis is put on the shoulders of a municipal government alone.

The editorial board writes: Why should this time be any different? Indeed.

On Monday, I addressed the many crises facing my constituents. Chicago is home to the largest Palestinian American community in the U.S., and my constituents have already endured the trauma of family members being killed in Gaza. In committee, I addressed these crimes funded by billions upon billions of our tax dollars. Not even a fraction of that funding has been directed to address the migrant crisis at home a failure to value the lives of brown children at home just as the federal government disregards the lives of brown children abroad. The pope has called the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza terrorism and the editorial board has the audacity to claim attention paid to this genocide is ideological? I accept accountability for failing to cage my humanity to human-made borders.

Following the committee meeting, I went to the Pilsen shelter and spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening speaking with shelter residents, parents with sick children and volunteers critical of the shelters deficiencies, as well as coordinating efforts to improve the quality of life for my newest constituents.

Instead of being relocated quietly with dignity, as the Department of Homeland Security has done for Ukrainian refugees, my Venezuelan cousins have been made a spectacle by our bigoted federal government. Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration is using local departments to respond to a crisis of international proportions, rapidly raising up shelter after shelter. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, to date, has created zero shelters. Neither DHS nor the Federal Emergency Management Agency has stepped in to offer support.

It is no wonder the Pilsen shelter, intended for 1,000 migrants, now houses more than double. The state and federal government are failing to meet this moment, and our media fail to hold them accountable.

My heart is with the family of young Jean Carlo Martinez, and I will continue to fight for our institutions at all levels to respect the lives of our new neighbors by investing in their dignity and care today.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th

Send migrants to Washington, and put them on the White House lawn, a Portage Park resident said, as quoted in the Tribune story Tempers flare over new temporary migrant site (Dec. 20).

As if migrants are objects, packages misdirected, to be shipped elsewhere. Placed on a lawn.

Of course, I agree with the resident that veterans who are unhoused should be served!

Any real solutions have to begin by acknowledging the humanity of the migrants people who left horrific violence, hoping our land would be a refuge as well as the humanity of all who are unhoused. It shouldnt be either/or.

Lets start with realizing that migrants and others who are unhoused are people just like you and me, like those of us lucky enough to have warmth on bitter days.

Diane ONeill, Chicago

The Tribune Editorial Board gets it right with its Spiraling migrant crisis editorial. Id go further to say that those wasting taxpayer dollars on something that does not relate to the city of Chicago should be voted out at the next election.

Lastly, there can be no permanent cease-fire anywhere where terrorists are concerned. Hamas is using the people of Gaza as human shields. Its despicable and the reason Israel must complete the process of eradicating Hamas in Gaza. Israel should of course be taking care to avoid civilian casualties and working to get civilians out of harms way, but it appears there are some severe problems in that regard.

President Joe Bidens administration has been on the correct side and is pressuring Israel to control its behavior while supporting the effort to eliminate Hamas. Giving up and allowing Hamas to regroup and break any cease-fire would be wrong, and the next time, its attacks could be worse.

A two-state solution must be set in place when Hamas is defeated. Why are these members of Chicagos City Council not calling for Hamas to surrender? They should do the job they were elected to perform and thats handle the problems in the city of Chicago. Where there are many!

Jean Brennan, Chicago

I commend the Dec. 20 editorial for correctly pointing out that the Chicago City Council should concern itself with matters that it can actually control rather than matters concerning which it can only express its opinion. In this case, that means addressing the influx of immigrants that the councils self-proclaimed sanctuary city policies have for years invited rather than calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, where it has zero jurisdiction.

I criticize the Tribune Editorial Board, however, for its claim that the problem here is flowing from the state of Texas and its characterization of Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts busing of some immigrants as inhumane and without notice.

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Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team.

Manifestly, the problem here flows from the District of Columbia, in particular President Joe Bidens administrations invitation to cross our southern border, aided and abetted by the city of Chicagos sanctuary city policies. (Those policies in the past have included flatly refusing to cooperate with immigration authorities even in deporting people found by our court system to have no legal basis for staying in the U.S. after exhausting all appeals.)

The editorial boards claim that busing migrants whose claims have yet to be filed, much less adjudicated, is inhumane and without notice, also does not withstand scrutiny. The buses are heated, all have arrived safely and Chicago has been on notice that they are on their way. Moreover, Illinoiss continuing population loss would be even more dire absent such immigration.

Surely, the sanctuary state of Illinois and city of Chicago can find meaningful ways to incorporate new immigrants into the Chicago workforce and help them on their way to becoming productive first- and second-generation citizens.

If not, then perhaps the mayor and the governor can have a long talk with Biden when hes in town for the Democratic National Convention.

David Applegate, Huntley

Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

Go here to see the original:
Letters: The city is rising to meet the moment for migrants and Palestinians. What about state, federal leaders? - Chicago Tribune