(The Center Square) – A minimum of 1,525,210 foreign nationals illegally crossed the Southwest U.S. border in fiscal 2024, according to preliminary data The Center Square exclusively obtained from a Border Patrol agent on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
The data excludes Office of Field Operations data, gotaway data (those who illegally entered and evaded capture), and northern border apprehension data, meaning the overall number is likely much higher.
It also excludes the 1.3 million inadmissables released into the U.S. through two parole programs created by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. More than 12 of the programs were identified as illegal by House Republicans who impeached Mayorkas in February. Dozens of state attorneys general sued to stop them, arguing they violate federal law; federal judges also ruled they are illegal…