Nearly 6 million undocumented immigrants now reside in the US, with a significant rise in arrests of criminals and suspected terrorists.
The report indicates that the backlog of undocumented immigrants in the US has nearly doubled under President Joe Biden's administration, now exceeding 6 million. This rise in numbers reflects a growing concern over the handling of immigration policies.
Significantly, the arrests of suspected terrorists by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have increased by 148%. Additionally, arrests for violent offenses have risen by 27.7% this year.
ICE's administrative arrests have climbed to 170,590, with 43% of these individuals having criminal records or pending charges. The sheer volume of these arrests underscores the complexity of the current immigration landscape.
Of those arrested, over 290,178 charges and convictions were recorded, averaging four per individual, Just The News reported.
These charges include serious offenses such as homicide, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, and weapons offenses, painting a concerning picture of the criminal aspect of this crisis.
The Department of Homeland Security's report states, "While ICE carefully prioritized its resources to meet these evolving mission needs and agency personnel continued to perform at a high standard, these increased demands have strained a workforce that has remained relatively static for the past decade."
The escalating crisis has fueled political tensions, with Republicans accusing President Biden of intentionally exacerbating the situation. This claim is rooted in policy decisions such as the reopening of rail lines without adequate measures to prevent new illegal crossings.
Representative Mark Green criticized the administration, stating, "This administration has completely neglected our Southwest border." His comments reflect a growing discontent among Republicans who are now vowing to take action.
House Republicans have promised to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas as they assume power in January 2023. This political maneuver signals a deepening divide over immigration policies and their consequences.
While ICE deportations have nearly doubled to 142,580, this number is still a small fraction compared to the 2.5 million border crossers. This gap highlights the challenges in effectively managing and processing such a large influx of undocumented individuals.
Of particular note is the handling of unaccompanied minors, with only 212 out of 137,275 being removed. This statistic underscores the complexities involved in dealing with young immigrants who arrive without guardians.
ICE has also incurred significant costs in healthcare for detained and non-detained immigrants, amounting to nearly $352 million. This financial burden reflects the broad impact of the immigration surge on various aspects of government resources.
The report, covering Fiscal Year 2023, coincides with an unprecedented surge in illegal immigration at the Southwest border. Daily crossings have reached heights of up to 12,000 individuals.
December is projected to set new records with over 275,000 border crossers. These numbers are indicative of an ongoing and escalating crisis that poses significant challenges for border control and immigration policy.
Representative Elise Stefanik expressed her concern, "Despite these historic numbers, Extreme Democrats continue to turn a blind eye to our Border Crisis." This statement reflects the growing frustration among lawmakers regarding the handling of the situation.
