In this Update
Message from the Deputy Assistant Commissioner
CBP Access is an electronic newspage developed by the Office of Congressional Affairs for Members of Congress and staff. If you are interested in subscribing to the CBP Access email distribution list, please send an email to OCAInquiry@cbp.dhs.gov.
CBP is committed to being a leader in law enforcement accountability and transparency. As part of its ongoing efforts to improve data transparency and access, CBP’s June 2022 operational update coincided with the reorganization of the CBP.gov Stats and Summaries webpage and launch of the CBP Public Data Portal. The Portal allows public users to download the underlying aggregate data used to generate the interactive data dashboards on CBP.gov, including Drug Statistic Seizures, Encounters, Travelers and Conveyances, and other major activities. These statistics demonstrate how CBP’s broad and complex mission is not only vital to the security and safety of our country, but also integral to the recovery and growth of our economy.
–Stephanie Talton, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of Congressional Affairs
CBP Releases Operational Update
CBP recently released operational statistics for June 2022, covering all major areas of operations, including travel and trade, forced labor enforcement, drug seizures, and nationwide border encounters.
Border Encounters for June 2022
The large number of expulsions during the pandemic has contributed to a higher-than-usual number of migrants making multiple border crossing attempts, which means that total encounters somewhat overstate the number of unique individuals arriving at the border.
- Nationwide Encounters: The number of unique individuals encountered nationwide in June 2022 was 153,379, a 14 percent decrease in the number of unique enforcement encounters than the prior month. CBP Nationwide Total Encounters for FY22TD through June: 2,002,604.
- Southwest Border Encounters: There were 207,416 encounters along the southwest land border in June, also a 14 percent decrease compared to May. Of those encounters, 26 percent involved individuals who had at least one prior encounter in the previous 12 months, compared to an average one-year re-encounter rate of 15 percent for FY 2014-2019.
- Title 42 and Title 8: In June 2022, 92,274 encounters, 44 percent of the total, were processed for expulsion under Title 42. 115,142 encounters were processed under Title 8.
- Single Adults: More than two-thirds (68 percent) of all southwest land border encounters were single adults, with 140,197 encounters in June, a 16 percent decrease compared to May.
- Unaccompanied Children: Encounters of unaccompanied children increased 4 percent, with 15,271 encounters in June compared with 14,678 in May. In June, the average number of unaccompanied children in CBP custody was 752 per day, compared with an average of 692 per day in May.
- Individuals in Family Units: Encounters of family unit individuals decreased by 13 percent from 59,534 in May to 51,780 in June—which is 40 percent decrease from the peak of 86,631 in August 2021.
Ongoing Migration Management Efforts
CBP continues to enforce U.S. immigration law and apply consequences to those without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. Current restrictions at the U.S. border have not changed; single adults and families encountered at the southwest border will continue to be expelled, where appropriate, under CDC’s Title 42 Order. Those who are not expelled will be processed under the long-standing Title 8 authority and placed into removal proceedings.
Under Title 8, those who attempt to enter the United States without authorization, and who are unable to establish a legal basis to remain in the United States (such as a valid asylum claim), will be quickly removed. Individuals who have been removed under Title 8 are also subject to additional long-term consequences beyond removal from the United States, including bars to future immigration benefits.
DHS has been implementing a comprehensive strategy to manage the number of border encounters. The strategy includes: 1) Acquiring and deploying resources to address increased volumes; 2) Delivering a more efficient and fair immigration process; 3) Processing and removing those who do not have valid claims; and 4) Working with other countries in the Western Hemisphere to manage migration and address root causes.
Facilitating Lawful International Travel and Trade
One of CBP’s core mission objectives is to enhance the nation’s economic prosperity, including through the facilitation of lawful trade and travel. CBP continues to protect America’s national and economic security by facilitating legitimate trade while rigorously enforcing U.S. customs laws and regulations.
In all travel environments, CBP continues to process increasing numbers of arriving travelers without any significant delays. In June 2022, CBP processed 9,783,474 arriving air travelers, an increase of 99.9 percent compared to June 2021 and a 1701 percent increase compared to June 2020. Travelers who are non-U.S. persons are allowed to enter the United States for non-essential travel via land ports of entry and ferry terminals, provided they are fully vaccinated and have appropriate documentation. The updated guidelines also allow most non-immigrants (non-U.S. citizens and other covered persons) who are fully vaccinated to travel by air to the United States, regardless of the reason for travel.
CBP also continues to work closely with the trade community and port operators to meet the growing demand for imported goods by strengthening international supply chains, improving trade enforcement, and ensuring that lawful merchandise is inspected and cleared as expeditiously as possible. In June 2022 alone, CBP processed more than 2.96 million entry summaries valued at more than $302 billion, identifying estimated duties of nearly $8.7 billion to be collected by the U.S. government. Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods continue to threaten the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, the livelihoods of American workers, and the health and safety of consumers. In June 2022, CBP seized nearly 1,223 shipments that contained counterfeit goods valued at more than $166 million.
Furthermore, in June 2022, CBP agriculture specialists helped protect America’s agriculture, natural resources, and economic prosperity by conducting 85,855 positive passenger inspections and issuing 593 civil penalties and/or cargo violations. CBP also issued 5,618 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products entering the United States.
Drug Seizures
CBP officers, Border Patrol agents, and Air and Marine Operations agents continue to interdict the flow of illicit narcotics across the border. Nationwide, overall drug seizures by weight were up 25 percent in June compared to May:
- cocaine seizures increased 62 percent;
- methamphetamine seizures increased 14 percent;
- heroin seizures decreased 49 percent; and
- fentanyl seizures decreased 41 percent.
CBP’s Drug Seizure Dashboard provides additional details, including a breakdown of seizures by drug type and CBP component.
COVID-19 Response
The safety of our workforce, our communities, and individuals in our care is a top priority. CBP personnel put themselves and their families at risk with every encounter with the public. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 29,673 CBP employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and 64 have passed away. CBP continues to explore adjustments to workforce posture and health protocols based on widespread vaccine access and easing public health metrics.
CBP provides migrants who cannot be expelled under the CDC’s Title 42 order or are awaiting processing with personal protective equipment from the moment they are taken into custody, and migrants are required to wear masks at all times. CBP also provides age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccines to noncitizens taken into CBP custody at the Southwest land border who are determined to be inadmissible pursuant to Title 8. Additionally, CBP works with appropriate agencies that facilitate testing, diagnosis, isolation, and treatment of migrants, including local governments and non-governmental organizations for persons released from CBP custody; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for testing of persons to be released from CBP custody, particularly in locations without local government or NGO testing capability; and Health and Human Services for testing of unaccompanied children. DHS has also developed a partnership model to test and isolate families who test positive for COVID-19, and reimburse 100 percent of the cost, provided that the state does not stand in the way.
Enforcement News from Across CBP
CBP Officers in Calexico Intercept Narcotics Worth $8 Million
Calexico, CA — CBP officers from the Calexico Port of Entry intercepted narcotics worth more than $8 million over the course of five days. Between July 13-17, 2022, officers discovered 603 pounds of fentanyl, 187 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.5 grams of marijuana concealed inside travelers’ vehicles and luggage while applying for entry into the United States. The deadly narcotics were discovered by CBP officers after noticing tampering of travelers’ vehicles and unusual travel patterns. The narcotics and vehicles were seized by CBP officers, and the travelers were turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation.
U.S. Border Patrol Apprehends Two Groups of More Than 100 Migrants within 72 Hours
Imperial Beach, CA — San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents from the Imperial Beach Station recently encountered two separate groups of migrants totaling 224 people. The first incident occurred July 23, at approximately 6:40 p.m., when agents encountered a group of 123 migrants who illegally crossed into the United States near Imperial Beach. The second incident occurred on July 26, at approximately 1:45 a.m., when agents encountered a group of 101 migrants who illegally entered the U.S. through a drainage tube. Smugglers had cut the drainage tube bars with a blow torch, which opened a pathway for the migrants to cross into the United States. All individuals were transported to a nearby station where they were evaluated and cleared by medical personnel. The two groups were determined to consist of citizens from 13 different countries and comprised of 167 single adults and 57 family unit members.
CBP Officers in Laredo Apprehend Fugitive Sought for Sexual Offense
Laredo, TX — On July 23, 2022, CBP officers at the Laredo Port of entry detained one male subject wanted for a sexual offense involving a minor. A CBP officer assigned to the Gateway to the Americas Bridge who was inspecting pedestrians arriving from Mexico referred Juan Geronimo Hernandez, a 32-year-old male United States citizen, for a secondary inspection. After escorting the passenger to secondary, subsequent biometric verification through law enforcement databases confirmed that the subject had an outstanding felony warrant for indecency with a child sexual contact entered by the Laredo Police Department in Laredo, Texas. The warrant was confirmed to be active. The subject was turned over to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to await criminal proceedings.
AMO Agents Interdict Vessel Smuggling 902 Pounds of Cocaine
Aguadilla, PR — CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents recently interdicted a vessel with two occupants transporting 902 pounds of cocaine worth approximately $9 million. AMO agents conducting a patrol near Desecheo Island off the western coast of Puerto Rico approached the vessel for inspection. The two occupants indicated that they were fishing. The AMO agents escorted the boat and its occupants to the Mayaguez Marine Boathouse for further inspection. On shore, after a U.S. Border Patrol canine inspection, agents discovered a hidden compartment with 339 bricks of a white powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine. HSI took custody of two men and the contraband.
Office of Congressional Affairs | July 2022