Beginning last year and specifically in the last few months, CBP has seen an overall increase in the apprehension of Unaccompanied Alien Children from Central America at the Southwest Border, specifically in the Rio Grande Valley. While overall border apprehensions have only slightly increased during this time period, and remain at historic lows, the apprehension and processing of these children present unique operational challenges for CBP and HHS. Addressing the rising flow of unaccompanied alien children crossing our southwest border is an important priority of this Administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Secretary Johnson has already taken a number of steps to address this situation.
Southwest Border Unaccompanied Alien Children (0-17 yr old) Apprehensions
Comparisons below reflect Fiscal Year 2014 to date (October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2014) compared to the same time period for Fiscal Year 2013.
Sector | Fiscal Year 2013 | Fiscal Year 2014 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Big Bend Sector | 125 | 256 | 105% |
Del Rio Sector | 2,135 | 3,268 | 53% |
El Centro Sector | 434 | 662 | 53% |
El Paso Sector | 744 | 1,029 | 38% |
Laredo Sector | 3,795 | 3,800 | 0% |
Rio Grande Sector | 21,553 | 49,959 | 132% |
San Diego Sector | 656 | 954 | 45% |
Tucson Sector | 9,070 | 8,262 | -9% |
Yuma Sector | 247 | 351 | 42% |
Southwest Border Total | 38,759 | 68,541 | 77% |
Southwest Border Family Unit Apprehensions
Comparisons below reflect Fiscal Year 2014 to date (October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2014) compared to the same time period for Fiscal Year 2013.
Sector | Fiscal Year 2013 | Fiscal Year 2014 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Big Bend Sector | 102 | 176 | 73% |
Del Rio Sector | 711 | 4,950 | >500% |
El Centro Sector | 365 | 630 | 73% |
El Paso Sector | 298 | 562 | 89% |
Laredo Sector | 1,688 | 3,591 | 113% |
Rio Grande Sector | 7,265 | 52,326 | >500% |
San Diego Sector | 1,576 | 1,723 | 9% |
Tucson Sector | 2,630 | 3,812 | 45% |
Yuma Sector | 220 | 675 | 207% |
| Southwest Border Total | 14,855 | 68,445 | 361% |
U.S. Border Patrol Southwest Border and Rio Grande Valley Sector Other Than Mexicans
Fiscal Year 2014 through September 30
| Sector | Other Than Mexicans |
|---|---|
Rio Grande Valley | 192,925 |
Southwest Border | 252,600 |
Unaccompanied Alien Children Encountered by Fiscal Year
Fiscal Years 2009-2013; Fiscal Year 2014 through September 30
| Country | Fiscal Year 2009 | Fiscal Year 2010 | Fiscal Year 2011 | Fiscal Year 2012 | Fiscal Year 2013 | Fiscal Year 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Salvador | 1,221 | 1,910 | 1,394 | 3,314 | 5,990 | 16,404 |
| Guatemala | 1,115 | 1,517 | 1,565 | 3,835 | 8,068 | 17,057 |
| Honduras | 968 | 1,017 | 974 | 2,997 | 6,747 | 18,244 |
| Mexico | 16,114 | 13,724 | 11,768 | 13,974 | 17,240 | 15,634 |