SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The acting head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection visited San Diego to issue a report card on the border, detailing how fentanyl seizures are up while unlawful immigration is down by 55 percent.
Troy Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner, said the agency’s enforcement efforts are enhancing the safety and security of communities across the U.S.
During a news conference at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, he praised federal, state and local agencies who are working together to disrupt the flow of drugs into the U.S., in particular fentanyl.
“In the last two fiscal years, CBP has seized more than 50,000 pounds of fentanyl, that’s more than enough to produce more than 2 million lethal doses of fentanyl,” Miller said.
He said more than half of the seizures nationwide are happening in California’s El Centro and San Diego sectors.
He also said large amounts of “ill-gotten money” and weapons heading south are being confiscated in record numbers disrupting cartel operations.
“All this matters because what happens at the border impacts communities across the nation, but the most important statistic is the opioids-related overdoses decreased last year.”
Miller told reporters that CBP agents and officers deserve most of the credit for not only making more drug seizures, but cutting down on the number of migrant apprehensions.
“During fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30, we saw historic migration numbers earlier in the year, we have significantly increased the consequences for those who illegally crossed into the United States, this has led to a continual meaningful decrease in unlawful border crossings,” Miller said.
The acting CBP commissioner went on to say there has been a 55 percent decrease in migrant encounters along the Southwest border since June, adding that there has been a huge drop in the number of migrants being released into public areas after being processed.
“In fact, we’ve decreased releases by more than 80 percent.”
According to Miller, there are more agents now on the front lines working between ports of entry, decreasing the number of “got aways” by 60 percent.
Miller also pointed out the U.S. continues to work with countries in Central and South America to intercept “thousands of individuals before they could continue their journey north.”
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