Fact Check: Illegal southern border crossings were at an all time high during Biden presidency

Illegal Southern Border Crossings During the Biden Presidency: A Fact-Check

Introduction

The claim that "illegal southern border crossings were at an all-time high during Biden's presidency" has been a topic of significant debate. Various sources report differing statistics regarding the number of illegal crossings, with some suggesting record highs during Biden's tenure. This article will explore the available data and context surrounding this claim without reaching a definitive conclusion.

What We Know

1. Statistics on Border Crossings: According to the House Committee on Homeland Security, since President Biden took office, there have been approximately 7.5 million encounters nationwide and 6.2 million encounters specifically at the Southwest border, along with 1.7 million known "gotaways" (individuals who evaded capture) 1. Another source, a statement from Senator John Cornyn, cites over 7.8 million illegal border crossings logged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 2.

2. Historical Context: The CBP's enforcement statistics show that illegal crossings have fluctuated over the years, with significant increases noted during certain periods. For instance, the number of encounters at the southern border reached record levels in 2021 and 2022, averaging around 2 million per year during that time 9.

3. Recent Trends: While the overall numbers during Biden's presidency are high, reports indicate that illegal crossings have decreased in recent months. For example, the BBC noted that the number of migrants at the U.S. southern border had halved from its peak, suggesting a downward trend 8. Additionally, the Associated Press reported that crossings demonstrated a downward trend as of December 2023, following a peak earlier that year 10.

4. Title 42 Expulsions: The implementation of Title 42, a public health order that allowed for the rapid expulsion of migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic, has also influenced crossing statistics. This policy was in effect until May 2023, which complicates the analysis of illegal crossings during Biden's presidency 3.

Analysis

The claim regarding record-high illegal crossings under Biden is supported by various statistics, but the interpretation of these numbers requires careful scrutiny.

1. Source Reliability: The data from the House Committee on Homeland Security 1 and Senator Cornyn 2 comes from official government agencies, lending it a degree of credibility. However, both sources may have political motivations, as they are affiliated with Republican lawmakers who have been critical of the Biden administration's immigration policies. This potential bias should be considered when evaluating their claims.

2. Contradicting Evidence: The BBC and Associated Press provide a counter-narrative, indicating that while crossings were indeed high during certain periods, they have recently decreased. This suggests a more nuanced understanding of the situation, as the claim of "all-time highs" may not hold when considering recent trends 810.

3. Methodological Concerns: The statistics on illegal crossings can be influenced by various factors, including changes in policy, enforcement practices, and external circumstances such as economic conditions in home countries. The reliance on raw numbers without context can lead to misleading conclusions. For instance, the impact of Title 42 and subsequent policy changes must be factored into any analysis of crossing trends.

4. Need for Additional Information: More comprehensive data over a longer time frame, including comparisons to previous administrations, would provide a clearer picture of the trends in illegal crossings. Additionally, qualitative data regarding the reasons behind the crossings could enhance the understanding of this complex issue.

Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly True

The claim that illegal southern border crossings were at an all-time high during Biden's presidency is supported by substantial evidence, particularly regarding the high numbers of encounters reported during 2021 and 2022. However, this assertion requires careful contextualization, as recent trends indicate a decrease in crossings, complicating the narrative of a continuous increase.

While the statistics from credible sources like the House Committee on Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection lend weight to the claim, potential political motivations behind these figures must be acknowledged. Furthermore, the impact of policies such as Title 42 and the fluctuating nature of migration patterns introduce additional complexity to the analysis.

It is important to recognize the limitations of the available evidence, as the data may not fully capture the broader context of immigration trends or the reasons behind them. Therefore, while the claim holds some truth, it is not absolute, and readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the nuances involved in discussions about immigration and border security.

Sources

1. House Committee on Homeland Security. (2023). FACTSHEET: Final FY23 Numbers Show Worst Year at America's Borders Ever. Retrieved from https://homeland.house.gov/2023/10/26/factsheet-final-fy23-numbers-show-worst-year-at-americas-borders-ever/
2. Cornyn, J. (n.d.). The Biden Border Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/biden-border-crisis/
3. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (n.d.). Southwest Land Border Encounters. Retrieved from https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters
4. House Committee on the Budget. (n.d.). Under President Biden's watch, there have been over 8... Retrieved from https://budget.house.gov/download/ogr-icymi
5. House Committee on Homeland Security. (2024). Biden and Harris' Border Crisis Still Wreaking Havoc. Retrieved from https://homeland.house.gov/2024/09/23/startling-stats-factsheet-biden-and-harris-border-crisis-still-wreaking-havoc-at-the-borders-and-in-the-interior/
6. White House. (2025). ICYMI: Illegal Border Crossings Hit New Record Low in March. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/04/icymi-illegal-border-crossings-hit-new-record-low-in-march/
7. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (n.d.). CBP Enforcement Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics
8. BBC News. (2023). How many migrants have crossed the US border illegally? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0jp4xqx2z3o
9. The Washington Post. (2024). Biden vs. Trump on immigration and border security, in 12 charts. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/02/11/trump-biden-immigration-border-compared/
10. Associated Press. (2023). Border crossings in December trend low as Biden administration wraps up. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-trump-cbp-mayorkas-59f19e61a710f8c09e20cb265f042383