Northern Border Sees Record Numbers Of Illegal Immigrants Under Biden-Harris

The Swanton Sector of the U.S. northern border has seen a historic surge in illegal crossings, with nearly 20,000 apprehensions reported in fiscal year 2024. The sector, which covers New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, had not seen numbers this high in over 17 years, raising concerns about the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of immigration.

Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia disclosed that the individuals arrested come from 97 different countries, pointing to a broader global migration crisis. The sharp increase follows a period of much lower activity, with only 6,925 arrests in 2023 and just over 1,000 in 2022.

This northern border surge comes as a surprise to many, as most attention has been focused on the southern border with Mexico. Critics of the Biden-Harris administration argue that its policies have created a pull factor for illegal immigrants, leaving the U.S. more vulnerable to unlawful crossings from both its northern and southern borders.

During President Donald Trump’s administration, crossings from Canada were rare, with apprehensions rarely exceeding 1,000 in a single fiscal year. The current situation stands in stark contrast, as illegal crossings have surged under the current administration’s more lenient immigration policies.

In response, the Department of Homeland Security has moved to expedite the asylum process for those crossing from Canada, but it remains to be seen how effective this will be in curbing the unprecedented surge. With more and more illegal immigrants entering through the northern border, calls for stronger enforcement and immigration reform continue to grow.