With days to go until a pandemic-era border restriction is lifted, the head of the U.S. Border Patrol is sharing some “staggering” details about the number of apprehensions of migrants attempting to cross the border.
On Monday, Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz tweeted that in the past 72 hours, there had been 26,382 apprehensions of migrants attempting to cross the border and roughly 7,399 who evaded law enforcement.
He noted three sex offenders, one wanted felon, and one gang member were apprehended.
Additionally, Ortiz shared 164 pounds of marijuana, 83 pounds of meth, 66 pounds of cocaine, 11 pounds of fentanyl, and five pounds of heroin were intercepted.
Ortiz added, “Great work over the weekend!”
Past 72 Hours…
— Chief Jason Owens (@USBPChief) May 8, 2023
– 26,382 Apprehensions
– 7,399 Approx. Gotaways
– 164 lbs. Marijuana
– 83 lbs. Meth
– 66 lbs. Cocaine
– 11 lbs. Fentanyl
– 5 lbs. Heroin
– $12,200 Siezed
– 1 Firearm
– 3 Sex Offenders
– 1 Wanted Felon
– 1 Gang Member
Great work over the weekend! pic.twitter.com/OsoEoulOO8
Fox News Bill Melugin shared Ortiz’s tweet and wrote, “Border Patrol reports a staggering 26,382 migrant apprehensions in just a 3 day span.”
“That is an average of 8,794 per day, which is the highest daily average I have ever seen reported,” he added.
BREAKING: Border Patrol reports a staggering 26,382 migrant apprehensions in just a 3 day span. That is an average of 8,794 per day, which is the highest daily average I have ever seen reported. https://t.co/YK1vbqWWv7
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 8, 2023
The numbers come as Title 42, which allowed the government to quickly expel migrants, is set to expire on May 11.
Officials are expecting a surge of border crossings when the policy ends. Estimates about the surge range from over 10,000 illegal border crossings per day once the policy ends.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration approved the deployment of 1,500 additional troops to the border.
As The Washington Post reports, “The Department of Homeland Security requested the temporary increase to supplement Customs and Border Protection’s efforts, a U.S. official said. The deployment is expected to last 90 days, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity citing ongoing interagency discussions.”
“Troops involved will not conduct law enforcement work, the official said. Rather, they will fill ‘critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support, until CBP can address these needs’ through contracted help,” it added.
House Republicans are expected to vote on an immigration bill Thursday.
The legislation would improve border surveillance, restart the construction of a border wall, and provide more money for border patrol personnel.
However, President Joe Biden is expected to veto the legislation if it gets to his desk.