Key numbers at a glance
Official data on unauthorized entries reflects encounters reported by agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The figures below summarize reported encounters fiscal years 2020 to 2024. Because reporting rules and operational contexts vary across years and ports of entry, direct year-to-year comparisons should treat changes as indicators rather than definitive measures of total flows. Definitions, limitations, and context are provided to support a fact-first interpretation.
| Fiscal Year | Type of Measure | Reported Encounters | Notes and Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Encounters (monthly reports) | ~1.7 million (cumulative FY) | Sharp decline in later months due to pandemic-related restrictions and Title 42 expulsions; data from Customs and Border Patrol summaries. |
| 2021 | Encounters (monthly reports) | ~1.7 million (cumulative FY) | Levels rebounded as restrictions eased; multiple ports of entry recorded repeated encounters. |
| 2022 | Encounters (monthly reports) | ~2.2 million (cumulative FY) | Higher readings driven by family unit arrivals and different enforcement outcomes; subject to revisions. |
| 2023 | Encounters (monthly reports) | ~2.4 million (cumulative FY) | Peak in reported encounters; includes data adjustments and operational changes at ports of entry. |
| 2024 | Encounters (year-to-date as of midyear) | ~1.4 million (partial FY) | Interim figures; full-year totals will depend on policy, seasonal patterns, and data finalization. |
What counts as an illegal border crossing
An illegal border crossing refers to arriving or attempting to enter a country without authorization, inspection, or admission by the relevant authorities. In practice, U.S. data typically record encounters where a person is placed into removal proceedings, returned, or issued a Notice to Appear. Apprehensions at or between ports of entry and between ports are included. Removals and voluntary returns are related but distinct measures, reflecting outcomes rather than initial encounters. These operational definitions vary by country and may shift with legal or policy changes, so comparisons across jurisdictions and time require care.
Data sources and how they are compiled
In the United States, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) publishes encounter statistics broken down by fiscal year, month, and type of border crossing. Data are derived from operational systems used to record interactions at ports of entry and between ports. CBP also issues year-to-date and annual summaries that are subject to revision as systems are updated. Outside the U.S., comparable statistics may come from border police, asylum agencies, or interior registration, but methodological differences limit direct comparisons. Important caveats include changes in counting protocols, data processing lags, and the inclusion or exclusion of certain encounters depending on policy directives.
Patterns across 2020 to 2024
2020: Pandemic-driven decline
In fiscal year 2020, reported unauthorized encounters declined notably from earlier years. Public health measures, travel restrictions, and the use of expulsion authorities under公共卫生 authorities under protocols such as Title 42 contributed to reduced encounters at ports of entry. The figure cited in summary reports for the full fiscal year is approximately 1.7 million encounters, though monthly trajectories varied substantially.
2021: Rebound in encounters
During fiscal year 2021, encounters returned to levels observed before the pandemic. Restrictions were lifted in many places, and migrants continued to move through established routes. Month-to-month patterns showed spikes at certain ports, while repeated encounters for some individuals inflated annual counts. The cumulative total for the fiscal year again approached roughly 1.7 million reported encounters, underscoring volatility tied to policy and operational contexts.
2022: Notable increase
Fiscal year 2022 showed a clear rise, with reported encounters reaching approximately 2.2 million. Multiple factors contributed: increased family unit migration, processing procedures that produced more recorded encounters, and shifting enforcement outcomes. The year highlighted how changes in migration drivers and border operational decisions can meaningfully alter annual totals, even when underlying migratory pressures are partly continuous.
2023: Peak in reported encounters
Fiscal year 2023 marked a further uptick, with reported unauthorized crossings reaching roughly 2.4 million. This peak reflected sustained migration flows from particular regions, evolving policies on enforcement and asylum processing, and data refinements. Notably, some months in 2023 recorded the highest monthly encounter counts in years, illustrating how seasonal patterns, policy shifts, and logistical constraints can coincide.
2024: Midyear snapshot amid uncertainty
As of mid-fiscal year 2024, preliminary reports indicate around 1.4 million encounters so far for the year. Full-year figures will depend on future policy decisions, enforcement practices, seasonal movement, and data finalization. Because reporting cycles lag real-time conditions, these interim numbers should be treated as partial snapshots rather than definitive endpoints.
Important limitations and how to interpret changes
Reported encounters are not equivalent to the number of unique individuals crossing illegally. A single person can be encountered multiple times in a year, and families can generate multiple encounters at ports of entry. Changes in policies such as expulsions, asylum processing rules, and data methodologies can artificially inflate or suppress counts from one year to the next. Therefore, trends should be read in context of operational shifts rather than as pure measures of migration pressure alone.
Context for understanding the numbers
Border encounter data are one lens on migration dynamics. They interact with asylum application rates, removals, voluntary returns, and broader geopolitical or economic conditions. In 2020 through 2024, public health emergencies, policy adjustments, and global instability all influenced movement and enforcement. Readers are encouraged to pair these figures with complementary indicators—such as apprehensions as a share of attempts, migrant demographics, and regional drivers—to form a nuanced picture.
Definitions and terms used
- Encounter: A recorded interaction when a migrant is encountered by border authorities, which may result in an apprehension, return, or issuance of a notice.
- Apprehension: An encounter where a person is taken into custody by immigration authorities.
- Removal: The formal process of returning a noncitizen to their country of origin or another country after an order of removal.
- Return: Voluntary or administrative return, which may or may not involve a formal removal order.
- Port of entry: A designated location where individuals may legally present themselves for inspection.
Conclusion
Reported unauthorized border crossings in the United States fluctuated between 2020 and 2024, with a low in 2020, a rebound in 2021, and rising counts through 2023, followed by partial 2024 data reflecting ongoing uncertainty. These year-to-year shifts reflect a combination of migratory pressures, policy changes, and operational practices. For a durable understanding, treat the numbers as indicators best interpreted alongside broader context and multiple data sources rather than as standalone absolute counts.