The Swanton Sector, covering northern states such as New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, has seen a historic surge in illegal immigration in fiscal year 2024, with nearly 20,000 apprehensions reported. This surge exceeds the total number of illegal crossings seen over the past 17 years combined and marks a troubling escalation of the border crisis under the Biden-Harris administration.

Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia reported that the individuals apprehended come from 97 different countries, underscoring the global scope of the issue. The number of arrests this year dwarfs the 6,925 apprehensions from 2023 and the 1,065 from 2022, reflecting a dramatic shift in migration patterns that now impact not just the southern border, but the northern border as well.

This spike in illegal crossings has raised concerns among critics of the administration’s immigration policies. Many argue that the Biden-Harris administration’s focus on the southern border has left the northern border vulnerable, leading to a sharp increase in illegal entries. During President Donald Trump’s tenure, crossings from Canada rarely exceeded 1,000 per year, highlighting the stark contrast between the two administrations’ approaches.

Efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to expedite the asylum process for those entering from Canada have so far done little to stem the tide of illegal crossings. The growing numbers have prompted calls for stronger enforcement measures and a reassessment of current border security policies.

As the crisis at the northern border continues to unfold, many Americans are demanding that the administration take immediate action to address the growing number of illegal immigrants entering the country from Canada, in addition to the challenges posed by the southern border.