The crisis at the beleaguered southern border has escalated to unprecedented levels this week, with the number of migrant encounters in December breaking all records — and there are still three days left in the month.
US Customs and Border Protection agents have encountered over 276,000 asylum seekers seeking to cross the US-Mexico border in December.
The massive number marks the highest monthly total in history, according to alarming data obtained by Fox News.
This staggering figure is expected to climb further with three days remaining in the month, particularly considering that illegal crossings have exceeded 10,000 on certain days in December.
The remarkable tally has already surpassed the previous monthly record set in September when 269,735 migrants were encountered, according to statistics from CBP.
The December total also encompasses the apprehension of 225,000 migrants at the border during the initial 27 days of the month — another record, as revealed by internal federal statistics obtained by CBS News.