Asked at a Senate hearing on border security in April whether the number of attempted crossings into the U.S. had increased in the last three months, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Fisher said the number had gone up.
“This particular year, yes, sir, we have seen an increase in attempted entries between the ports of entries. We’re actually up in terms of apprehensions, about 13%. The reasons and modus behind that are varied, some of which is hearing sequestrations, some of which is hearing immigration reform, and some of it is hearing, you know, they just want to come and be joined with their families,” said Fisher.
The number of arrests of people illegally crossing the border were up last year too by approximately 9%– the first increase since fiscal year 2005.
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