Staff Reports
In what can only be described as a breathtaking example of the border crisis spiraling even further out of control, the Swanton Sector, which oversees a stretch of the U.S.-Canada border, set new records in July with over 2,700 migrant apprehensions. That’s right, folks—this sector, nestled snugly in Northeastern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, witnessed a jaw-dropping increase of nearly 200 percent from the previous year. It’s almost enough to make one wonder if Canada is actually turning into a launching pad for illegal immigration rather than a friendly neighbor to the north.
In the first ten months of Fiscal Year 24, which kicked off back in October 2023, Swanton agents nabbed an astonishing 15,612 individuals crossing illegally from Canada, marking a staggering 197 percent increase compared to 5,257 apprehensions during the same timeframe last year. To put that into perspective, that’s more crossers than the Swanton Sector experienced in the past 13 fiscal years combined. Clearly, the U.S. is facing a migration crisis that seems to have forgotten how to read maps and comprehend boundaries.
Swanton Sector Border Patrol Agents have apprehended more than 15,000 subjects in less than 10 months which has exceeded the total number of apprehensions made by Swanton Sector in the previous 13 fiscal years combined (FY11-FY23) @USBPChief @CBP @DHSgov pic.twitter.com/3TTNwukiIF
— Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia (@USBPChiefSWB) July 25, 2024
It is notable that the majority of these migrants are not turning themselves in like good little boys and girls. Instead, Border Patrol agents are engaging in a game of hide and seek, diligently tracking down these individuals based on community tips. So, while these migrants may not be waving arms and chanting “Welcome to America,” they are certainly making their presence known—and not in a way that fits the narrative of empathetic immigration policy.
On top of the sea of migrants, Swanton agents recently apprehended a Chinese woman who had a rather creative method of turtle smuggling. She tried to sneak out 29 eastern box turtles—an activity that might sound ludicrous if it weren’t for the serious implications of wildlife trafficking. Apparently, in addition to the overwhelming number of people illegally crossing the border, the smuggling of turtles has also emerged as a niche issue. Who knew that America’s border woes would include reptilian antics?
The list of countries fueling this migrant surge reads like a world geography exam gone rogue, with individuals arriving from 85 different nations—from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and every letter in between. The most troubling factor in this smorgasbord of diversity? The sheer volume of migrants surfacing with no apparent plans to assimilate or apply for asylum through proper channels. Those who believe every immigrant contributes positively are certainly going to have to rethink their assumptions when faced with the harsh realities of smuggling and border instability.
The Swanton Sector’s sharp uptick in illegal crossings serves as a testament to the current administration’s apparent failure to secure the border. Instead of embracing border enforcement that rebuffs such rampant crossing patterns, it seems that officials are more keen on accommodating this chaos. As the nation struggles to maintain control over its borders, the only answer seems to be a more definitive response, lest America finds itself not just bordered by Canada, but overwhelmed by an unprecedented migration free-for-all.
