Fact Check: Border Patrol released zero migrants last month, down from 62,000 last year.

Fact Check: "Border Patrol released zero migrants last month, down from 62,000 last year."

What We Know

The claim that "Border Patrol released zero migrants last month" is contradicted by the latest data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In September 2023, CBP reported a total of 269,735 encounters at the Southwest border, which is a significant increase from previous months and years (House Committee on Homeland Security). This figure indicates that many migrants were processed and subsequently released into the U.S. as part of the immigration system.

Moreover, the claim suggests a comparison to last year, stating that the number of releases was down from 62,000. However, the context of this number is unclear, as it does not specify whether it refers to a specific month or the entire fiscal year. The data indicates that the overall encounters have drastically increased, leading to a higher number of releases as well (CBP Monthly Update).

Analysis

The assertion that zero migrants were released is misleading and factually incorrect. The House Committee on Homeland Security's factsheet highlights that there were significant encounters and likely releases during September 2023. The report indicates that Border Patrol agents were diverted to process migrants, which implies that they were indeed releasing individuals into the interior of the U.S. after processing (House Committee on Homeland Security).

Additionally, the claim lacks a credible source to substantiate the figure of "zero" releases. The CBP's statistics show a complex situation where the number of encounters and subsequent releases has increased, particularly in the context of the Biden administration's immigration policies (CBP Enforcement Statistics).

The credibility of the sources used to support the claim is questionable. The House Committee on Homeland Security, while a legitimate source, may have a partisan perspective, which could influence the interpretation of the data. Therefore, it is essential to cross-reference such claims with official CBP data and other independent analyses.

Conclusion

The claim that "Border Patrol released zero migrants last month" is False. The evidence clearly shows that there were significant encounters at the border, and it is highly likely that many migrants were processed and released during that time. The assertion lacks credible support and misrepresents the current situation at the U.S. border.