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WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today released operational statistics for August 2022, which can be viewed online here.
“Failing communist regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba are driving a new wave of migration across the Western Hemisphere, including the recent increase in encounters at the southwest U.S. border,” said CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus. “Our dedicated teams of skilled agents continue to work around the clock to secure our border and safely and humanely process and vet every individual encountered, but those fleeing repressive regimes pose significant challenges for processing and removal. At the same time, the number of migrants entering from Mexico and northern Central America has decreased for the third consecutive month, as the Biden-Harris Administration works with our partners in the region to address the root causes of migration, facilitate repatriation, and take thousands of smugglers off the streets. More individuals encountered at the border without a legal basis to remain will be expelled or removed this year than any prior year.”
CBP Southwest Border Enforcement Numbers for August 2022
The large number of individuals fleeing failing communist regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba is contributing to an increased number of migrants attempting to cross the border.
Unique SW Border Encounters by Select Citizenships
Venezuela/ Cuba/Nicaragua
Mexico/
N. Central America
Aug 2022
55,333
56,979
% Unique Encounters
35%
36%
% Change from Aug. 2021
175%
-43%
Source: OIS analysis of CBP data.
Note: Unique encounters include persons not previously encountered in the prior 12 months
The large number of expulsions during the pandemic has contributed to a higher-than-usual number of migrants making multiple border crossing attempts, which means that total encounters somewhat overstate the number of unique individuals arriving at the border.
In total, there were 203,598 encounters along the southwest land border in August, a 1.7 percent increase compared to July. Of those, 22 percent involved individuals who had at least one prior encounter in the previous 12 months.
Unaccompanied Children
Family Unit individuals
CBP Nationwide Total Encounters for FY22TD through August stand at 2,493,723. For the Southwest Border alone, that number stands at 2,150,639.
Ongoing Migration Management Efforts
CBP continues to enforce U.S. immigration law and apply consequences to those without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. Current restrictions at the U.S. border have not changed; single adults and families encountered at the southwest border will continue to be expelled, where appropriate, under CDC’s Title 42 Order. Those who are not expelled will be processed under long-standing Title 8 authorities and placed into removal proceedings.
Under Title 8, those who attempt to enter the United States without authorization, and who are unable to establish a legal basis to remain in the United States (such as a valid asylum claim), will be quickly removed. Individuals who have been removed under Title 8 are also subject to additional long-term consequences beyond removal from the United States, including bars to future immigration benefits.
DHS has been executing a comprehensive and deliberate strategy to secure our borders and build a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system. The strategy is based on six pillars: surging resources; increasing efficiency to reduce strain on the border; employing an aggressive consequence regime; bolstering the capacity of NGOs and partner with state and local partners; going after cartels and smugglers; and working with our regional partners. This comprehensive plan leverages a whole-of-government approach to prepare for and manage the current and anticipated increases in encounters of noncitizens at our southwest border. Read more here.
International Travel and Trade
One of CBP’s core mission objectives is to enhance the nation’s economic prosperity, including through the facilitation of lawful trade and travel. CBP continues to protect America’s national and economic security by facilitating legitimate trade while rigorously enforcing U.S. customs laws and regulations.
Count
August 2020
August 2021
% change from August 2020 to August 2021
August 2022
% August 2022 Change from August 2020
% August 2022 Change from
August
2021
Air
1,451,640
6,622,920
356%
11,317,761
680%
71%
Passenger
Vehicles
4,126,822
5,533,546
34%
8,027,138
95%
45%
Pedestrians
1,767,263
2,468,425
40%
3,477,686
97%
41%
Commercial Trucks
1,020,635
1,081,653
6%
1,132,462
11%
5%
Since travel restrictions were eased on November 8, CBP has processed increased numbers of arriving travelers without any significant delays. The new rules allow travelers who are non-U.S. persons to seek to enter the United States for non-essential travel via land ports of entry and ferry terminals, provided they are fully vaccinated and have appropriate documentation. The updated guidelines also allow most non-immigrants (non-U.S. citizens and other covered persons) who are fully vaccinated to travel by air to the United States, regardless of the reason for travel.
CBP will continue to track traveler numbers and wait times over the next few months and continue to adjust as needed to make the travel experience more efficient. In the meantime, travelers can plan by doing the following:
Trade Stats/Seizures – Protecting the American Consumer
CBP works diligently with the trade community and port operators to ensure merchandise is cleared as efficiently as possible. CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve border security. There are several programs by which CBP works with importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers to advance information about the shipments and expedite the inspection process at the ports of entry. CBP is available to conduct exams and is ready and willing to expand hours of operations if necessary to meet the growing demand for imported goods.
In August 2022 alone, CBP processed more than 3 million entry summaries valued at more than $294 billion, identifying estimated duties of nearly $9.4 billion to be collected by the U.S. government. In August, trade via the ocean environment accounted for more than 46 percent of the total import value, followed by air, truck, and rail.
Intellectual property rights violations continue to put America’s innovation economy at risk. Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threaten the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, the livelihoods of American workers, and the health and safety of consumers.
In August 2022, CBP seized nearly 2,099 shipments that contained counterfeit goods valued at more than $159 million.
In August 2022, CBP targeted 838 entries valued at more than $266.5 million for suspected use of forced labor in the production of imported goods, including goods subject to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and Withhold Release Orders.
Drug Seizures
CBP officers, Border Patrol agents, and Air and Marine Operations agents continue to interdict the flow of illicit narcotics across the border. Nationwide, drug seizures (Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana) by weight were up 1.4 percent in August compared to July. Seizures were as follows:
Additional CBP drug seizure statistics can be found here.
Agriculture Stats/Seizures – Securing American Agriculture
In August 2022, CBP agriculture specialists helped protect America’s agriculture, natural resources, and economic prosperity.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.
View a complete list of local and regional CBP social media accounts.
CBP.gov
An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security