Data Visualization Immigration
Illegal Alien Encounters Surge and Shift Under Biden

Shortly after the Biden-Harris Administration took office, the U.S. experienced a surge in illegal border crossings, and the situation has only worsened over the subsequent months. The chart below displays both illegal alien encounters recorded by the U.S. Border Patrol, which occur between ports of entry, and inadmissible alien encounters recorded by the Office of Field Operations, which occur at ports of entry.

Total Inadmissible Alien Encounters
Under the Biden-Harris Administration
Monthly Unlawful Entry Encounters
Office of Field Operations
U.S. Border Patrol

The number of inadmissible alien encounters at ports of entry is rising due to the Biden-Harris Administration directing illegal aliens to enter through them. The Administration is mass-paroling illegal aliens into the U.S. under the label of a “lawful pathway,” but neither the pathway nor the aliens using it are lawful.

Monthly Averages
Office of Field Operations
U.S. Border Patrol

Notes: Figures for the U.S. Border Patrol are illegal alien apprehension encounters, and figures for the Office of Field Operations are inadmissible encounters. This page was originally published on April 3, 2023.

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, “Nationwide Encounters”.

Design and Development: Graphic produced by John W. Fleming and Jay Simon.