Troy A. Miller, a Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), stated that CBP will continue to work against transnational criminal organizations at the southern border, noting the "system is not resourced for what we are seeing." Miller made this statement in a press release on June 20 for the CBP May 2024 Monthly Update.
"In close coordination with U.S. and foreign partners, CBP continues to take strong enforcement efforts against transnational criminal organizations at our borders and beyond," said Miller, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "Our enforcement efforts are continuing to reduce southwest border encounters. But the fact remains that our immigration system is not resourced for what we are seeing. The dedicated men and women of CBP will continue to prioritize national security and disrupt criminal networks, while maximizing consequences for unlawful entry, including detention, prosecution, and removal under recently announced executive actions to further secure the border."
In May 2024, CBP recorded more than 117,900 encounters at the Southwest Border, according to the monthly report. Of these encounters, 52,800 occurred at ports of entry.
"For anyone who is thinking of entering the United States unlawfully along the southern border is simple: don’t do it," the report said. Migrants are subjected to dangerous conditions, with transnational criminal organizations endangering "the lives of individuals they smuggle for their own financial gain with no regard for human life."
According to the report, seizures of fentanyl nationwide increased by 70% compared to April 2024. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 to date, CBP has seized 13,700 pounds of fentanyl.
In April 2024, CBP launched Operation Plaza Spike to target fentanyl trafficking from its sources in Mexico to prevent its entrance into American communities. "By targeting them [cartels] for enforcement action, we can directly impact their operations and ability to traffic fentanyl into the United States, which makes its way into communities all across the country," said Miller in an April 10 press release.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is dedicated to "protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nation’s economic prosperity," according to its website. Troy A. Miller serves as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner.
