Venezuelans Illegally Crossing US Border at Higher Rates Than Mexicans for 1st Time

Illegal immigrants walk through razor wire surrounding a makeshift migrant camp after crossing the border from Mexico, in El Paso, Texas, on May 11, 2023. John Moore/Getty Images

Venezuelans were caught illegally crossing the United States border last month in higher numbers than Mexicans for the first time on record.

In September, 54,833 Venezuelans were arrested by the Border Patrol after entering from Mexico, more than twice the 22,090 people arrested in August, according to the latest monthly report from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the accompanying data.

In contrast, only 39,733 Mexicans were arrested for illegal southern border crossings in September. Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Colombians rounded out the rest of the top five nationalities caught trying to enter from Mexico. For many years, Mexicans accounted for the vast majority of illegal crossings.

“We are continually engaging with domestic and foreign partners to address historic hemispheric migration, including large migrant groups traveling on freight trains, and to enforce consequences including by preparing for direct repatriations to Venezuela,” Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller said.

Arrests of all nationalities entering from Mexico totaled 218,763 in September, up 21 percent from the 181,084 people arrested in August and approaching the high of 222,018 in December 2022.

Illegal immigrants claiming asylum wait for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to allow them to enter the United States at the San Ysidro crossing port on the U.S.-Mexico border, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico, on May 31, 2023. Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images

Citizens Flee Venezuela in Droves

Ecuador previously had its own immigration crisis, as millions fled there from socialist Venezuela to escape hyperinflation, extreme poverty, and the ongoing humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions in the troubled South American nation.

Venezuela has also been under economic sanctions since 2019, because of an executive order by then-President Donald Trump. All Venezuelan government assets in the United States were frozen, and transactions with its authorities were barred.

The executive order was “in light of the continued usurpation of power by [Venezuelan leader] Nicolás Maduro and persons affiliated with him, as well as human rights abuses.”

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on Oct. 18 that the sanctions would be eased after Venezuela’s socialist regime and opposition agreed to abide by specific measures as part of efforts to ensure democratic elections next year.

Government critic María Corina Machado recently declared victory in the opposition’s presidential primary, potentially setting the stage for her to challenge longtime leader Mr. Maduro in next year’s elections and possibly restore some form of order.

Venezuelan opposition ex-congresswoman María Corina Machado speaks with the press following the results of the legislative election in Caracas, Venezuela, on Dec. 7, 2015. Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images

Venezuelans Seeking Asylum in America

President Joe Biden’s administration announced in September it would allow nearly half a million Venezuelans already in the country, even those who entered illegally, to file for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

TPS status would allow the Venezuelans to work and be protected from deportation temporarily. Generally, this status usually lasts for at least 18 months. More than 242,000 Venezuelan immigrants already had TPS status following a 2022 decision for an extension until March 10, 2024.

However, a Biden administration immigration policy was challenged in a Texas court in August, with a coalition of Republican-led states seeking to end a program that allowed parole in the United States for thousands of individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela every month.

Texas led 21 states in wanting to stop the program, arguing the Biden administration’s policy constitutes executive overreach and should be stopped.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.