Illegal migrant crossings at the U.S.-Canadian border in the last three months exceeded the total number of crossings in both fiscal years 2021 and 2022 combined, according to federal data updated Friday.
Border Patrol recorded 3,846 encounters of migrants crossing into the U.S. illegally from Canada between October and December, according to the data. There were a total of 3,154 encounters of illegal migrants at the northern border in both fiscal years 2021 and 2022.
Of those who crossed the northern border illegally in December, 1,608 were Mexican nationals, according to the data. Mexican nationals are not required to possess a visa to travel to Canada, only electronic travel authorization for seven Canadian dollars.
CBP recorded 302,034 encounters of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in December, marking the highest month on record, according to the data.
“The men and women of CBP continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws at and between ports of entry and continue to work with our Mexican partners along our shared border. CBP remains vigilant to respond to the serious challenges we are experiencing across the southwest border,” the agency said Friday.