By Claire Hansen | U.S. News
Border encounters hit a 21-year-high last month, though recidivism rates remain high due to a controversial order still in place at the border.
Authorities made 212,672 apprehensions at the southern border last month, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced during a trip to South Texas on Thursday, acknowledging an “unprecedented” number of migrants caught crossing the border as he pledged to continue to mobilize the federal government to address illegal immigration.
The figure, a 13% increase from June, marks a 21-year-high and a continuation of an increase in migration that began in spring 2020 under former President Donald Trump and has sharply accelerated this year.