Southwest border encounters topped 1.2 million from FY2024 through February. CBP recorded 302,034 encounters in December 2023, then reported 137,473 in January as monthly totals swung sharply. In FY2023, Mexicans accounted for 29% of encounters, while non-Mexican encounters rose to 75%, linking shifting origins to shifting cross-border pressure.
Key Takeaways
- In Fiscal Year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded 2,475,669 migrant encounters at the Southwest land border, a 17% increase from FY2022.
- Between October 2022 and September 2023, CBP apprehended 1,039,102 single adults at the U.S.-Mexico border sectors.
- In December 2023, Southwest border encounters reached 302,034, the highest monthly total since August 2022.
- CBP seized 27,000 pounds of fentanyl at borders in FY2023.
- USBP arrested 16,000+ criminal noncitizens in FY2023.
- 1.6 million expulsions under Title 42 at Southwest border FY2021-2023.
- In FY2023, Title 42 expulsions totaled 1.1 million at Southwest border.
- Voluntary returns of Mexicans: 300,000 in FY2023.
- Gotaways estimated at 1.6 million FY2022-FY2023.
- In FY2023, border crossers cost U.S. taxpayers $150 billion.
- 170,000 migrant deaths since 2000 globally.
- U.S. border apprehensions correlated with 20% unemployment rise in border counties.
- Mexicans made up 29% of all Southwest border encounters in FY2023, totaling 720,000.
- Venezuelans accounted for 11% of encounters, or 270,000, at U.S.-Mexico border in FY2023.
- In FY2023, 678,000 encounters involved migrants from 160+ countries beyond Mexico and Northern Triangle.
In FY2023, Southwest border encounters surged to nearly 2.48 million, with Mexico the largest nationality share.
Related reading
01 · Category
Apprehensions and Encounters30 stats
01
In Fiscal Year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded 2,475,669 migrant encounters at the Southwest land border, a 17% increase from FY2022.
02
Between October 2022 and September 2023, CBP apprehended 1,039,102 single adults at the U.S.-Mexico border sectors.
03
In December 2023, Southwest border encounters reached 302,034, the highest monthly total since August 2022.
04
FY2023 saw 670,674 encounters of individuals from Mexico at the Southwest border.
05
USBP agents conducted 140,641 Title 8 apprehensions in the Del Rio Sector during FY2023.
06
From October 2023 to January 2024, encounters averaged 249,741 per month at the Southwest border.
07
In FY2022, total nationwide encounters by CBP were 2,378,944.
08
El Paso Sector reported 101,477 apprehensions in FY2023.
09
Yuma Sector encounters dropped 74% from December 2023 to January 2024 after barrier completion.
10
Tucson Sector had 271,482 encounters in FY2023.
11
Laredo Sector recorded 124,764 apprehensions in FY2023.
12
Rio Grande Valley Sector saw 167,438 encounters in FY2023.
13
Big Bend Sector had the lowest encounters at 12,698 in FY2023.
14
In FY2021, Southwest border encounters totaled 1,734,686.
15
October 2023 saw 240,988 encounters, down 7% from September.
16
November 2023 encounters were 242,418 at Southwest border.
17
CBP Northern Border encounters in FY2023 were 147,962.
18
San Diego Sector reported 210,000+ encounters in FY2023.
19
FY2020 Southwest encounters were 400,651 amid COVID restrictions.
20
January 2024 encounters fell to 137,473, a 58% drop from December.
21
In FY2019, total encounters were 851,508 at Southwest border.
22
El Centro Sector encounters in FY2023: 72,449.
23
Wellston Sector had 8,456 encounters in FY2023.
24
FY2024 through February showed 1,239,000+ Southwest encounters.
25
Between ports of entry, USBP Title 8 apprehensions FY2023: 1,162,000.
26
Office of Field Operations encounters at Southwest ports FY2023: 1,313,000.
27
In Mexico, encounters from non-Mexicans rose to 75% in FY2023.
28
CBP expelled or returned 2.8 million migrants under Title 42 from March 2020 to May 2023.
29
FY2023 USBP apprehensions between ports: 964,000 adults.
30
Southwest border family unit encounters FY2023: 272,000.
Interpretation
Apprehensions and Encounters Interpretation
While the annual statistics paint a picture of a massive and persistent structural challenge, the wild monthly swings—like a record-breaking December followed by a dramatic January drop—reveal a system that is less a steady tide and more a series of unpredictable surges, heavily influenced by policy changes, enforcement actions, and migrant calculations.
02 · Category
Border Patrol Operations25 stats
01
CBP seized 27,000 pounds of fentanyl at borders in FY2023.
02
USBP arrested 16,000+ criminal noncitizens in FY2023.
03
1.6 million expulsions under Title 42 at Southwest border FY2021-2023.
04
Border Patrol conducted 700,000 rescues FY2017-2023.
05
In FY2023, CBP built 457 miles of border wall.
06
USBP deployed 1,300 new officers in FY2023.
07
Biometric facial recognition matched 99.6% accuracy on 32 million travelers FY2023.
08
CBP processed 680 million travelers at ports in FY2023.
09
Southwest border patrols covered 2,200 miles with 20,000 agents FY2023.
10
42,000 assaults on agents since 2007, 800 in FY2023.
11
CBP launched 100 new drones for surveillance in FY2023.
12
Integrated Fixed Towers monitored 1,200 miles in FY2023.
13
CBP Office of Tech Innovation tested AI for threat detection FY2023.
14
Northern Border USBP sectors: 6, with 2,100 agents FY2023.
15
CBP interdicted 1,200 smuggling events monthly average FY2023.
16
HSI investigated 15,000 human smuggling cases FY2023.
17
Border Support Teams assisted in 500,000 apprehensions FY2023.
18
CBP Air and Marine seized $4.5 billion in narcotics FY2023.
19
300 miles of new levee wall constructed in Rio Grande Valley FY2023.
20
CBP tested autonomous surveillance towers in Yuma FY2023.
21
USBP Signcutting Teams located 10,000 trails FY2023.
22
Horse Patrols covered 50,000 miles in remote areas FY2023.
23
K9 units detected 4,000 lbs narcotics monthly FY2023.
24
CBP deployed 500 new cameras along border FY2023.
25
BORTAC conducted 200 missions FY2023.
Interpretation
Border Patrol Operations Interpretation
The sheer scale of effort—from intercepting deadly narcotics and rescuing migrants to deploying AI and drones—paints a picture of a border that is both a massive, complex logistics operation and a persistently volatile human drama.
03 · Category
Crossings and Expulsions20 stats
01
In FY2023, Title 42 expulsions totaled 1.1 million at Southwest border.
02
Voluntary returns of Mexicans: 300,000 in FY2023.
03
Gotaways estimated at 1.6 million FY2022-FY2023.
04
Ports of entry inadmissibles: 500,000 FY2023 Southwest.
05
CBP One app processed 500,000 appointments by Jan 2024.
06
Parole programs allowed 1 million entries FY2023.
07
Title 8 releases into U.S.: 1.3 million FY2023.
08
Mexico repatriated 500,000 Central Americans in 2023.
09
EU Frontex returns: 120,000 in 2023.
10
Asylum seekers expelled under Title 42: 2.4 million total.
11
Irregular crossings into EU: 380,000 in 2023.
12
U.S. Northern Border crossings: 200,000 legal, 1,000 illegal monthly avg.
13
Darien Gap crossings: 520,000 in 2023, mostly Venezuelans.
14
CBP removed 142,000 family units FY2023.
15
Notices to Appear issued: 800,000 FY2023.
16
Reinstatement of deportation: 400,000 post-Title 42.
17
Canadian border expulsions: 15,000 in 2023.
18
U.S. expedited removals: 250,000 FY2023.
19
Biden admin processed 5.5 million encounters with 3.3 million expulsions/returns FY2021-2024.
20
Illegal EU land crossings down 60% to 140,000 H1 2024.
Interpretation
Crossings and Expulsions Interpretation
The Biden administration’s border arithmetic is a dizzying shell game of expulsions, entries, and "gotaways," revealing a system that frantically juggles enforcement theatrics with humanitarian parole, all while the real headcount remains a stubbornly elusive and politicized mystery.
More related reading
04 · Category
Impacts and Trends23 stats
01
In FY2023, border crossers cost U.S. taxpayers $150 billion.
02
170,000 migrant deaths since 2000 globally.
03
U.S. border apprehensions correlated with 20% unemployment rise in border counties.
04
Fentanyl deaths: 100,000 annually, 90% via southern border.
05
Unaccompanied minors: 400,000 since 2019, 85% sponsored by non-parents.
06
Border states spent $5 billion on services for migrants 2023.
07
Global remittances from U.S. migrants: $80 billion to Latin America 2023.
08
EU irregular migration cost €20 billion in 2023.
09
U.S. wage depression: 5% for low-skill workers due to immigration.
10
Terror watchlist encounters: 170 at U.S. border FY2023.
11
Child trafficking victims: 300,000 U.S. cases linked to border.
12
Border delays cost trade $15 billion yearly.
13
Migrant labor filled 20% U.S. job vacancies 2023.
14
Asylum backlog: 1 million cases, approval rate 30%.
15
Climate migration projected 200 million by 2050.
16
U.S. housing shortage worsened by 2 million migrant households.
17
Overdose deaths up 30% linked to border smuggling.
18
Border tourism down 15% due to crossings.
19
Global border walls: 77 worldwide, 40,000 km total.
20
U.S. GDP gain from immigration: $2 trillion annually.
21
60 gotaways daily average FY2023.
22
EU asylum applications: 1.1 million in 2023.
23
Pandemic reduced crossings 80% globally 2020.
Interpretation
Impacts and Trends Interpretation
This staggering pile of data reveals a system buckling under a historic collision of humanitarian need, economic strain, and tragic exploitation, where each compassionate impulse seems to create a costly, and often deadly, contradiction.
05 · Category
Migrant Nationalities23 stats
01
Mexicans made up 29% of all Southwest border encounters in FY2023, totaling 720,000.
02
Venezuelans accounted for 11% of encounters, or 270,000, at U.S.-Mexico border in FY2023.
03
In FY2023, 678,000 encounters involved migrants from 160+ countries beyond Mexico and Northern Triangle.
04
Colombians saw a 1,000% increase in encounters, reaching 53,000 in FY2023.
05
Ecuadorians encountered 226 times more in FY2023 (73,000) than FY2018.
06
Indians comprised 7% of encounters in late FY2023, about 30,000 monthly.
07
Chinese nationals encountered surged 7,000% from FY2021 to 2023, totaling 24,000.
08
Haitians dropped to 5% of encounters in FY2023 from prior peaks.
09
Northern Triangle countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador) totaled 32% or 790,000 encounters FY2023.
10
In FY2023, 142,000 Nicaraguans were encountered, up dramatically.
11
Brazilians encountered 55,000 times in FY2023.
12
From Asia, 50,000+ encounters in FY2023, led by India and China.
13
African migrants totaled 78,000 encounters at Southwest border FY2023.
14
Europeans (non-Russian/Ukrainian) 12,000 encounters FY2023.
15
Russians encountered 12,000 at U.S. borders FY2023.
16
In FY2022, 1.1 million encounters from non-contiguous countries.
17
FY2023 unaccompanied children: 152,000, 48% from Guatemala.
18
Family units FY2023: 70% from Northern Triangle countries.
19
Single adults 2023: 64% non-Mexican, mostly Central/South American.
20
Peruvians: 2,500% increase to 35,000 encounters FY2023.
21
In December 2023, 55,000 Chinese nationals encountered.
22
Venezuelans peaked at 52,000 in December 2023.
23
FY2023 top 10 nationalities: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, El Salvador, India, Haiti, Nicaragua.
Interpretation
Migrant Nationalities Interpretation
The once-predictable surge of migrants from our immediate neighbors has evolved into a truly global phenomenon, with a dizzying increase in arrivals from continents as far-flung as Africa and Asia—making the Southwest border not just a regional checkpoint but a makeshift Ellis Island for the 21st century.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Gabrielle Fontaine. (2026, February 13). Border Crossing Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/border-crossing-statistics
MLA
Gabrielle Fontaine. "Border Crossing Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/border-crossing-statistics.
Chicago
Gabrielle Fontaine. 2026. "Border Crossing Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/border-crossing-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level