Matthew Klein Assistant Commissioner | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released its operational statistics for Fiscal Year 2024, including the data for September. The statistics reveal a significant reduction in southwest border encounters and increased enforcement efforts.
"During Fiscal Year 2024, CBP significantly increased its enforcement efforts and realized a substantial decrease in southwest border encounters," stated Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner. He highlighted CBP's focus on dismantling transnational criminal organizations involved in smuggling illicit opioids like fentanyl.
Following the Presidential Proclamation on Securing the Border and an Interim Final Rule finalized on September 30, there was a reported more than 55% decrease in unlawful border crossings at the southwest border. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tripled the percentage of noncitizens processed for Expedited Removal, with an 80% drop in individuals released by Border Patrol pending immigration court proceedings.
From June to September, DHS removed or returned over 160,000 individuals to more than 145 countries. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted over 495 international repatriation flights during this period. Preliminary data indicates that DHS completed over 700,000 removals and returns for FY 2024, marking it as the highest since FY 2010.
On other fronts, CBP expanded enforcement on the northern border, reducing encounters by 50% from June to September. U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions between ports of entry reached their lowest since FY 2020, with a notable decline from last year.
The agency also emphasized its humanitarian efforts through rescue operations. In September alone, U.S. Border Patrol conducted 424 rescues along the southwest border.
CBP continues to promote lawful entry into the United States using tools like the CBP One™ mobile application. Since its introduction in January 2023 until September 2024, more than 852,000 appointments were scheduled through this app.
Furthermore, DHS resumed processing new Advance Travel Authorizations for nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela under enhanced vetting processes. This initiative resulted in over half a million individuals arriving lawfully via commercial flights by September's end.
In combating drug trafficking, CBP seized nearly 50,000 pounds of fentanyl over two fiscal years as part of Operation Apollo. Methamphetamine seizures also rose significantly compared to FY 2023 figures.
The agency processed over $296 billion worth of trade goods in September while enforcing measures against counterfeit products and those made with forced labor from regions like Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.
CBP remains committed to safeguarding America's borders while facilitating legal travel and trade across air, land, and sea routes.
