Illegal Immigrant Families Caught at Border Up 37 Percent in October

The apprehension of Family Unit Aliens (FMUA) and Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) saw dramatic increases despite substantial existing records. The total apprehensions of illegal immigrants rushing into the U.S. ahead of the 2016 General Election also jumped nearly 17 percent over the prior month.

President-Elect Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that he will make immigration one of his top priorities, Breitbart News reported.

“We’re looking very strongly at immigration. We’re going to look at the borders, very importantly, we’re looking very strongly at healthcare and we’re looking at jobs,” Trump said. The statement came following a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Earlier this month, Breitbart Texas reported that cartel smugglers were using the U.S. elections as a “marketing tool” to bring more illegal immigrants to the U.S. border. That marketing ploy was apparently successful.

During the month of October, the apprehensions of FMUAs increased by nearly 37 percent over September, according to information obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials by Breitbart Texas. Those numbers have been increasing nearly every month leading up to the election since January. October also saw an increase in the apprehensions of UACs by nearly 19 percent. Those numbers also were increasing nearly every month during 2016. Total apprehensions of all illegal aliens crossing the border in October rose by nearly 17 percent.

“In October a total of 46,195 individuals were apprehended between ports of entry on our southwest border, compared with 39,501 in September and 37,048 in August,” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a written statement obtained by Breitbart Texas. “Within these totals, we have seen corresponding increases in the numbers of unaccompanied children and individuals in families apprehended. We’ve also seen increases in the numbers of those who present themselves at ports of entry along the southwest border seeking asylum.”

Johnson said the flood of immigrants has increased the population in detention facilities to about 41,000. This represents an increase of 7,000 to 10,000 people over normal average detentions. “I have authorized Immigration and Customs Enforcement to acquire additional detention space for single adults so that those apprehended at the border can be returned to their home countries as soon as possible,” the DHS secretary stated.

Once again, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector saw the brunt of the alien influx.

McAllen Mayor Jim Darling spoke with Breitbart Texas in exclusive pre-election interview.

“The cartel uses what happens in the U.S. as a marketing tool in Central America,” Mayor Darling said. “The need is there (in Central America) but what happens in Washington and the way the news media presents it, they (cartels) say you better get up here. So that causes the surges … We”ll see what happens after the election to see if it slows down.” McAllen is ground zero in the flood of illegal immigrants crossing in the RGV sector.

Of the total number of family units apprehended all along our southwest border with Mexico (13,124), 8,726 were apprehended in the RGV Sector. A total of 11,183 FMUAs were apprehended in Texas alone. An FMUA is defined by CBP officials as “children who are apprehended with one or more parent or legal guardian.” That means the 13,124 FMUAs apprehended in October represent at least 26,248 people.

A total of 6,754 UACs were also apprehended in October. Of those, 65 percent (4,093) were apprehended in the RGV sector and 5,518 in all of Texas.

These totals mean that Border Patrol agents were tied up with processing at least 19,878 minors.

“The smugglers learned in 2014 that they could tie up Border Patrol agents as babysitters and keep us from our primary mission of stopping illegal border crossings and drug smuggling,” U.S. Border Patrol Agent Chris Cabrera told Breitbart Texas in his capacity as president of National Border Patrol Council Local 3307 in an interview on October 26. “When are we going to get back on the border?”

“In 2014, it was primarily the Rio Grande Valley Sector that saw the massive numbers of families and children,” Cabrera explained. “Now we are seeing increases in every sector–some as high as 200 percent.”

Total apprehensions of all illegal immigrants who crossed the borders outside of designated ports of entry were 46,195. This represents a nearly 17 percent increase over September. Those numbers had also been increasing nearly every month (with the exception of the summer months of June and July). Of the total number in October, nearly half (49 percent) were apprehended in the RGV Sector and 35,210 were apprehended in the six Texas sectors.

“Those who attempt to enter our country without authorization should know that, consistent with our laws and our values, we must and we will send you back,” Secretary Johnson stated. “As difficult as circumstances may be in Central and South America and the Caribbean, our borders cannot be open to illegal migration.”

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.

This article has been updated to reflect a change in terminology.