Downriver Today

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the U.S. Border Patrol made 1.9 million arrests last year, which is a record high, as troubles at the Southern border continue.

The report is based on new data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection saying that in 2019 agents made 851,508 arrests, showing nearly a 95% increase over just two years. 

Former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott said that border patrol agents are frustrated and don’t see a “light at the end of the tunnel,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, of the estimated 91,000 immigrants living illegally in the state of Michigan, 39% (36,000) have come via the border with Mexico. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has gotten heat as recently as September from the Republican Governors Association (RGA) for her stance -- which she later walked-back -- in the run-up to the 2018 gubernatorial election, in which she called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Gretchen Whitmer’s refusal to stand up to President Biden and demand he crack down on illegal immigration is putting Michiganders at risk as crime rises across the country,” RGA Spokesperson Chris Gustafson said, according to the organization's website. “With over 200,000 illegal crossings every month, Biden’s border crisis can no longer be ignored, and it’s far past time for Whitmer to demand action.”

The report said 20%, or 402,000, of the migrants who were arrested were released into the U.S. for an asylum application hearing. This is 56% less than before the COVID-19 pandemic began. This data came from court papers involving a lawsuit against the Biden administration from Republican attorney generals in Missouri and Texas, who are trying to block the federal government from ending a "Remain in Mexico" policy that former President Donald Trump initiated. The policy requires migrants to stay in Mexico or their home country to await an asylum hearing.