The latest numbers from Customs and Border Protection

Migrant encounters at the border surpass 1 million for the year. June's numbers reach 188k

The highest number of people attempting entry along the U.S. southwest border in modern data collection.

 "encountered" at the U.S. southern border in June 2021 - 

the highest single-month number in at least 20 years

More than half - 104,907 - were expelled.

The majority of those crossing the border are single adults. However, the number of unaccompanied minors (those 17 and younger traveling without a guardian) also increased last month to 15,253 - one of the highest monthly totals in decades (the highest being in March of this year: 18,800+).


“We are in the hottest part of the summer, and we are seeing a high number of distress calls to CBP from migrants abandoned in treacherous terrain by smugglers with no regard for human life."

CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller. During summer months, border apprehensions tend to take a dip with the high temperatures, but the number of encounters have now increased to more than 100,000+ encounters every month since February.

: Customs and Border Protection reiterated that many of the people "encountered" for crossing the border illegally are repeat offenders - those who have attempted crossing before & were apprehended and expelled - not *new* attempts.

: While important, this data reflects *only* "encounters" - a term used for those apprehended, arrested, expelled or allowed to stay pending pursuit of asylum. It doesn't include an estimate of those who have attempted crossing and succeeded undetected.

Why This Matters: With June's numbers, more than 1 million people have been encountered at the U.S. southwest border this year; the government's "year" spans from October 2020 - September 2021. These are the highest numbers we've seen in at least two decades. 

Note: We use the term "modern data collection" when comparing these numbers since that's when the data was recorded in a more consistent manner.  

Now You Know

New Border Numbers 

The latest numbers from Customs and Border Protection

Migrant encounters at the border surpass 1 million for the year. June's numbers reach 188k

Quick. Concise. Nonpartisan.

Jenna