Illegal immigration across the southwest border increased by as much as 10% last month, contrary to the usual pattern that sees the flow of undocumented immigrants slowing down in late summer. The increase is occurring as the Obama administration tries to prevent families from Central America from pouring into the U.S.
The border patrol apprehended almost 10,000 people traveling in family groups during August. No less than 68,080 undocumented immigrants tried to cross the U.S. border during the first 11 months of the 2016 fiscal year, making it a near certainty this fiscal year will break the previous record set in FY2014. Analysts claim that ongoing violence is pushing immigrants to flee Central America, while lax law enforcement in this country is enticing them to try to come to the U.S.
The situation has become so toxic that over the summer, an administration lawyer told a federal appeals court that children are being abducted by adult undocumented immigrants so they can pose as families when they arrive in the U.S and receive more lenient treatment. The number of unaccompanied undocumented immigrant minors who authorities took into custody at the border last month also increased, but at a slower pace.
Around 5800 undocumented immigrant minors not accompanied by adults were caught in August, bringing the 2016 total to date to 54,032. Officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security say they are aggressively pursuing various ways to try to stop the increased flow.