Portman Statement on June 2021 CBP Operational Data Showing Worst Migrant Crisis in Two Decades Continuing to Worsen

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released operational statistics for June 2021 regarding the crisis at our southern border: 

“I find it very troubling that CBP operational statistics show that we are seeing the worst June for unlawful migration in more than twenty years and border encounters continue rising. 

“The surge in illicit narcotics coming over our border also continue to rise, with seizures of fentanyl so far this fiscal year already 78 percent higher than all of fiscal year 2020. As recent CDC data has shown, these illicit narcotics, including deadly fentanyl, are taking a record number of lives in communities in Ohio and across our country. CBP also reported over 188,000 total encounters at the border, an increase from last month’s record of the highest amount in more than two decades. This includes more than 55,000 migrant family members, a 25 percent increase from just last month; more than 117,000 single adult migrants, four times more than last year; and more than 15,000 unaccompanied children. 

“The Biden administration’s border crisis of surging numbers of illicit narcotics and unlawful migrants is a direct result of its decision to dismantle the previous administration’s policies with no consideration of the ramifications. This situation is unacceptable and unsustainable. It’s time for action from the Biden administration and I look forward to addressing this directly with Secretary Mayorkas when he comes before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee later this month.” 

###

Print
Share
Like
Tweet