A Border Patrol report reviewed by Breitbart Texas shows that more than 400,000 illegal migrants during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2023 were classified as known got-aways. The report shows that more than 60,000 such known got-aways were recorded in March.
Got-aways are migrants who cross the border illegally and evade arrest by Border Patrol agents. They are not counted as apprehensions or expulsions, which are the official metrics used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to measure border enforcement. Got-aways are tracked by Border Patrol through various methods, such as visual observation, video surveillance, footprints, and sensor alerts.
Got-aways pose a serious challenge for border security and public safety. They represent a potential threat to national security, as some of them may be affiliated with criminal or terrorist organizations. Moreover, they increase the risk of spreading COVID-19 and other diseases in the United States and Mexico, as they bypass health screening and testing protocols.
How many got-aways are there and how have they increased?
According to the Border Patrol report obtained by Breitbart Texas, there were 409,216 got-aways from October 2022 to March 2023, with 61,312 in March alone. This is a staggering increase from all of the previous fiscal year, when there were “only” 69,000 got-aways in total. The report attributes the surge in got-aways to several factors, such as:
- The unprecedented influx of migrants at the border, overwhelming the capacity and resources of Border Patrol agents.
- The diversion of Border Patrol agents from patrolling duties to processing and transporting migrant families and unaccompanied children.
- The lack of cooperation and coordination between DHS and other federal agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- The policies and directives issued by the Biden administration that limit the enforcement options and authorities of Border Patrol agents.
- The incentives and strategies employed by smugglers and cartels to exploit the gaps and loopholes in the border security system.
What can be done to reduce got-aways and improve border security?
The Border Patrol report offers some recommendations to address the issue of got-aways and enhance border security. Some of these recommendations are:
- Increasing the number and deployment of Border Patrol agents along the border, especially in high-risk areas.
- Expanding the use of technology and infrastructure, such as cameras, drones, sensors, fences, and walls, to detect and deter illegal crossings.
- Improving the coordination and communication between DHS and other federal agencies, as well as state and local partners, to share information and resources.
- Restoring the enforcement authorities and discretion of Border Patrol agents to apply the appropriate consequences for illegal crossings, such as Title 42 expulsions or Title 8 removals. (Note that Title 42, which permits immediate expulsion of some illegals for reasons of public health, is set to expire on May 11.)
- Reversing or modifying some of the policies and directives issued by the Biden administration that have contributed to the increase in got-aways, such as ending catch-and-release practices or reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP).
The issue of got-aways is not only a matter of numbers. It is a matter of national security, public safety, humanitarian concern, and public health. It is imperative that the Biden administration and Congress take swift and effective action to address this issue and secure our border.
For more, see Breitbart News.