Border Patrol Apprehensions Down Significantly
Posted Oct 04, 2002
 
The United States Border Patrol released figures on September 16, 2002 pertaining to the apprehension of individuals attempting to enter the U.S. without documentation. The figures for the first ten months of FY2002 reflect a remarkable decrease of 28% from FY2001. Specifically, the Border Patrol apprehended 799,281 undocumented individuals during the first ten months of FY2002. That figure for the same time period during the prior year was 1,116,698. The apprehended individuals were from 160 different countries.

Presumably, the reason for this decrease is that fewer people are daring to attempt illegal entry to the U.S., in light of heightened border security. Additionally, studies have shown that fewer people are illegally "commuting" across the border. Those who are able to reach the U.S. simply remain here without voluntarily returning. Previously, some of these individuals would return home, particularly for family emergencies such as illnesses and funerals. Now that it has become more difficult and dangerous to enter the U.S. illegally, there is far less "back and forth" illegal migration.

On a related note, the Border Patrol is also involved with the detection and seizure of illegal drugs coming into the U.S. The Border Patrol seized over 1.3 billion dollars worth of illegal drugs during the first 10 months of FY2002. The bulk of these seizures involved marijuana and cocaine.