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The Impact of the Securing the Border

Interim Final Rule on Migrant Encounters and

Processing



Updated October 31, 2024

In FY2023, enforcement encounters by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) at the Southwest border reached their highest recorded annual level (2.5 million
migrant encounters). In FY2024, encounters decreased to 2.1 million. The majority (1.5 million) were
apprehensions along the border between ports of entry (POEs) by CBP's U.S. Border Patrol (USBP).
In response to high levels of encounters, President Biden signed a proclamation that suspended and
limited the entry of certain migrants at the Southwest border, effective June 5, 2024. DHS and the
Department of Justice (DOJ) issued ajoint interim final rule (IFR) that restricted asylum eligibility for
migrants subject to the proclamation's suspension of entry, effective the same day. On September 27, the
President updated the proclamation and DHS and DOJ issued a final rule amending the IFR, effective
October 1, 2024.
Immigration law authorizes CBP officers to charge aliens with immigration violations and process them
for removal (deportation). Generally, CBP chooses one of two removal pathways.
Under the formal removal process, CBP issues a migrant a notice to appear (NTA) charging document and
files it in an immigration court (within DOJ's Executive Office for Immigration Review). During removal
proceedings, an immigration judge determines whether the individual is subject to removal from the
United States. The individual may apply for relief or protection from removal, including asylum,
withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Unless they are
subject to mandatory detention, most migrants issued NTAs are released from DHS custody to await
proceedings.
The backlog of pending cases in immigration court has been exacerbated by migrant encounters at the
Southwest border resulting in NTA filings. In FY2024 Q3, the backlog reached 3.5 million cases. With
725 immigration judges on staff, some individuals wait years to have their proceedings completed.
Under expedited removal (ER), DHS may remove individuals, typically recently arrived aliens
apprehended by CBP at or near a U.S. border, without a hearing. Those who express a fear of persecution
or torture if returned to their country of origin or an intent to apply for asylum may undergo a credible
                                                               Congressional Research Service
                                                                 https://crsreports.congress.gov
                                                                                     IN12417

CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and
Committees of Congress

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