Immigrants apprehended by Rio Grande City Agents. / U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Flickr
Thus far in fiscal year 2024, Border Patrol agents overseeing the Del Rio Sector have apprehended 54 convicted sex offenders who were attempting to illegally enter the United States.
According to a post from the Chief Patrol Agent of the Del Rio Sector, Robert Danley, the illegal immigrants arrested had committed several atrocities, many against minors. A majority of those 54 illegal immigrants apprehended in the Del Rio Sector were previously charged with the sexual assault of a minor.
“Since October 1, 2023, Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents have apprehended 54 convicted sex offenders after illegally crossing the border and attempting to evade law enforcement,” Danley said in the post. “Our agents remain steadfast in safeguarding our border and protecting our communities.”
The number of reported offenders indicates the illegal sex offenders apprehended by Border Patrol. The number does not include those who evaded detection or apprehension.
The fiscal year 2024 began on October 1, 2023. October and December were record-high months for illegal border crossings. Data from federal authorities claims 240,988 illegal immigrant encounters occurred within October alone.
December topped that number with the highest monthly recording ever of illegal immigrant encounters with a total of 303,034. The numbers temporarily dropped in January, with encounters decreasing to 176,025. The numbers rose in February to 189,922 alongside a massive spike in drug seizures.
According to Customs and Border Protection agents, there was a 164% increase in heroin seizures, a 140% increase in cocaine seizures, and a 294% increase in methamphetamine seizures between January and February.
Border security is increasingly becoming a nonpartisan issue for most Americans.
Data from Pew Research shows that a majority of Americans believe the border situation is either a “crisis” or a “major problem.” Forty-five percent of Americans say the border is at a “crisis” level, 32% say it’s a “major problem,” 17% say it’s a “minor problem,” and just 4% say it’s “not a problem.”
