News and reports from the Department of Homeland Security.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently made a national television appearance to advocate for Congress's approval of emergency supplemental funding. The Republican leadership has stalled the funds, demanding that the Biden administration address what they perceive as critical issues on the southwestern border. However, Mayorkas argues that the funding would provide solutions in the form of technological advancements and additional manpower.

Border Patrol agents have successfully thwarted an illegal crossing attempt by four individuals across the Niagara River, as per a tweet from Chief Patrol Agent Thomas G. Martin of the Buffalo sector. The individual allegedly coordinating the effort was also apprehended.

Cuban migrants persist in their attempts to enter the U.S. via the Key West area, according to Samuel Briggs II, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol for the Miami Sector. Briggs recently announced on social media that a total of 41 Cuban migrants had been apprehended since the beginning of the new year.

The U.S. Border Patrol's Swanton sector in Vermont continues to maintain vigilance in its border patrolling duties. According to a recent social media post by Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia, the months of October and November saw an increased level of activity compared to the combined total for the fiscal years 2021 and 2022.

U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Tucson sector continue to disrupt human and drug smuggling attempts, as reported by Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin. He recently highlighted the sector's activity on social media, referencing a local man who was sentenced to five years in prison for human smuggling.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia of the Swanton sector has issued a stern warning to those who seek to harm Border Patrol agents, promising severe prison sentences. In a recent social media post, Garcia announced that an individual who assaulted a local border patrol agent is now facing a nine-year sentence.

Chief Patrol Agent Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel recently acknowledged the efforts of a specialized law enforcement and search and rescue response team that came to the aid of an injured migrant. The statement was delivered via X.

An ongoing investigation is currently being conducted into the case of 11 Cuban migrants who landed near Key Largo, Florida. The migrants are now being processed for removal, as revealed in a tweet by Samuel Briggs II, the Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol in the Miami sector. This was Briggs' inaugural social media post for the new year.

A man, wanted for murder, was unable to hide his identity while attempting to cross into the U.S. from Mexico. The arrest was made by officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Santa Teresa port of entry. Jason Owens, Chief Border Patrol Agent, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the suspect is now set to be prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) with the Department of Justice.

This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) executed migrant removal flights to Venezuela and Central America. This initiative was supported by a joint effort between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Drug smugglers attempting to transport narcotics through the Indio Station were thwarted by border patrol agents, as reported by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino. The announcement was made via X, previously known as Twitter.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport recently intercepted a stink bug known to damage plants by piercing and sucking sap from leaves. CBP agriculture specialists discovered the insect, identified as Euschistus rugifer, in a package of fresh herbs.

San Diego Border Patrol sector agents have apprehended two convicted felons, as announced by Chief Patrol Agent Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel. The individuals were found in possession of a loaded firearm, according to her statement on X (formerly Twitter).

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens expressed concern over the risk posed by migrants attempting to illegally enter the U.S. in groups. He pointed out that managing such illegal entries often strains resources.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has declared that seafood consumed by Americans will no longer have any connections to Russia. The agency announced that all fish-related products imported into the United States must demonstrate that they did not originate from the Russian Federation. This directive also applies to seafood items processed in a third country before being imported into the United States.