It is the first week since the end of Title 42, and the effects are already visible. Authorities published data on encounters with illegal immigrants; arrests; escapes; seizures of weapons, money and drugs; and agents assaulted.
Raul Ortiz, head of Border Patrol, confirmed that there were 28,473 apprehensions of illegal immigrants, and average of 4,068 per day. Between Oct. 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023, the daily average was 5,879, totaling 1,246,371 during this period, Ortiz himself assured. In the week prior to the conclusion of Title 42, 67,759 illegal immigrants were apprehended at the border.
Week in Review:
- 18 Agents Assaulted
- 28,473 Apprehensions
- 9,571 Approx. Gotaways
- $221,251 Seized
- 323 lbs. Marijuana
- 113 lbs. Fentanyl
- 66 lbs. Cocaine
- 11 Firearms
- 8 Sex Offenders
- 4 Gang MembersAssault on an Agent will get you prosecuted federally, 18 USC 111. pic.twitter.com/dLJX6fr111
— Chief Raul Ortiz (@USBPChief) May 19, 2023
On the other hand, some 9,571 irregulars managed to escape from authorities this week. From May 5-11, an estimated 15,780 managed to enter the country by circumventing border controls and are unaccounted for. Additionally, 18 agents were assaulted this week.
Ortiz reported that the Border Patrol seized $221,251 in cash, 323 pounds of marijuana, 113 pounds of fentanyl, 66 pounds of cocaine and 11 firearms, in addition to arresting eight sex offenders and four gang members, all of them wanted by authorities.
