Record-High Numbers of Migrant Encounters in December
According to sources, the surge of people crossing the border has caused significant strain on infrastructure in border towns and sanctuary cities. In fact, December has already become the highest month on record, with more than 276,000 migrant encounters reported so far.
Biden’s Presidency Criticized for Lack of Action
Republican representatives have strongly criticized President Biden’s handling of the situation, accusing him of intentionally allowing the crisis to worsen. Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama stated, “President Biden’s entire presidency has been a vacation from reality,” highlighting the 760,000 illegal immigrants encountered at the border since October.
Rep. Randy Weber of Texas echoed these sentiments, stating that President Biden’s “dereliction of duty is on full display” while he ignores the daily influx of illegal immigrants. Rep. Mark Alford of Texas added that Biden and his officials should be ashamed of the state of the U.S. migrant crisis, calling for immediate action to enforce laws and stop the flow of illegal immigrants.
Texas Republicans Demand Action
Several Texas Republicans expressed their concerns about the situation, emphasizing the impact on their state. Rep. August Pfluger stated that Texans are enduring record-high numbers of illegal crossings, while the Biden administration fails to take action. He urged the administration to address the issue urgently.
Unprecedented Numbers and Overwhelmed Border Patrol
Since the start of the new fiscal year in October, there have been over 760,000 migrant encounters at the southern border, marking the highest quarter on record. Additionally, there have been 82,000 known getaways, further straining border enforcement efforts. Border Patrol has consistently been overwhelmed by the unprecedented numbers of migrants.
Blame Game and Call for Immigration Reform
Republicans have laid the blame for the surge on the Biden administration’s policies, particularly the reversal of Trump-era measures. However, the administration contends that it is dealing with a hemisphere-wide challenge and requires additional funding and immigration reform legislation from Congress to address the situation effectively.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the administration for comment on the matter, but no response has been received thus far.
Reporting by Fox News’ Griff Jenkins contributed to this article.