Nearly 3 million illegal border crossings in 2024 have made this year one of the highest on record, highlighting the strain on U.S. immigration systems under the Biden-Harris administration as questions mount over security and enforcement.
In fiscal year 2024, nearly 3 million foreign nationals entered or attempted to enter the United States illegally, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The reported 2,901,142 encounters and apprehensions highlight an escalating trend of illegal border crossings under the Biden-Harris administration, making 2024 the second-highest year on record, following the record-breaking 3.2 million crossings in fiscal 2023.
Of the total, 2,135,005 encounters occurred along the southwest border, while the northern border experienced its own record high of nearly 199,000 apprehensions, marking a significant increase from previous years. Fiscal year 2022 also saw record-breaking numbers, totaling over 2.76 million, following fiscal 2021's 1.95 million.
Combined, CBP data reflects over 10.5 million encounters and apprehensions under the current administration, a total that excludes significant numbers of “gotaways” — individuals who entered illegally and evaded capture — estimated at more than 2 million. Former CBP officials claim that actual gotaway numbers are likely higher, as internal reports may understate the problem by as much as 20%.
Further complicating the situation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has admitted over 1.38 million individuals through parole programs, including the CBP One App and the CHNV parole program for certain migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Federal judges have ruled these programs illegal, and House Republicans recently cited them in the impeachment of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Critics, including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, have pointed out that these programs have fueled undocumented population growth, with estimates ranging from 14 to 16 million total entries under the administration, while others suggest an even higher count. Many individuals released through DHS programs receive paperwork noting they are “unlawfully present” in the U.S. and await immigration hearings scheduled years into the future. Additionally, DHS Inspector General reports have highlighted that individuals considered high-risk often receive minimal vetting before release, raising safety and security concerns nationwide.
These findings have fueled continued debate over the Biden-Harris administration's border policy, as the numbers reflect a shift in U.S. immigration dynamics unseen in prior administrations. Meanwhile, efforts to address the record numbers have increasingly centered around both national security concerns and a reevaluation of existing immigration policies and resources.
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