The latest data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) show that border apprehensions of unaccompanied minors and family united for Fiscal Year 2018 have increased, when compared to the same time period in Fiscal Year 2017.
This first chart, updated on August 8, shows that the apprehensions of unaccompanied minors have increased by 17% in FY2018.
This first chart, also updated on August 8, shows that the apprehensions of family units have increased by 16% in FY2018.
CBP defines a family unit as “the number of individuals (either a child under 18 years old, parent or legal guardian) apprehended with a family member by the U.S. Border Patrol.”
The latest CBP numbers show apprehensions by country of origin. This chart from August 8 shows that the 19,200 unaccompanied minors from Guatemala were apprehended, making it the highest number apprehensions since FY2014 during the same time period. Apprehensions from Mexico have continued to decreased since FY2013.
Guatemala is also the highest country of apprehensions of family units by country. The 37,226 FY2018 apprehension are higher than the previous three years. Honduras has also seen an increase, while El Salvador has seen a significant decrease and Mexico continues to see decreases.
Here is what DHS Press Secretary Tyler Q. Houlton said about this latest data in a statement:
…the number of family units apprehended at the border remains high and their percentage of total crossings has increased as court decisions prevent us from detaining and prosecuting family unit adults. The inability to apply consequences to any law breaker ultimately threatens the safety and security of the nation and its communities.
