More than 200,000 stopped at border for second straight month

In August, for the second month in a row, more than 200,000 immigrants were stopped along the United States’ southern border, according to data released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Wednesday.

There were a total of 208,887 migrants who were detained in August, the agency said. In July, there were 212,672 apprehensions along the U.S. southern border border, a 21-year monthly record high.

The August numbers represent the first time since President Biden took office that those apprehensions along the border have decreased. The agency said that more than 1 million people have been detained “year-to-date during Fiscal Year 2021” compared to more than 851,000 for the same period in fiscal 2019.

CBP said that a quarter of immigrants detained in August had “at least one prior encounter in the previous 12 months.” The agency also noted that in August, nearly half of those detained were single adults. 

“The men and women at CBP continue to step up to meet the demands of high numbers of encounters at our southern border. CBP recorded 2 percent fewer encounters in August than July. The vast majority of single adults encountered in August, along with a substantial share of families, continued to be expelled under the CDC’s Title 42 authority,” acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller said in a statement.

However, it is possible that these numbers could shift upward again. Enforcement measures in Mexico, which were previously strict, could be relaxed through internal circumstances. 

The numbers come as Democrats are hoping to include language in their massive budget reconciliation bill that would allow a form of permanent residency among immigrants who lack the documentation to stay in the U.S., though those coming to the U.S. this year would likely not be able to be protected under the legislation unless they apply for asylum or leave the country.