Migrant apprehension numbers continue to climb

CBP reports over 160,000 apprehensions in February - FOX 9's Adam Klepp reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - Migrants continue to come to the United States in record numbers.

The new statistics from Customs and Border Patrol show a 6.5% increase in apprehensions from January 2022, and a 63% increase compared to February 2021.

Through five months of the current fiscal year, total apprehensions are well over 800,000, and on pace to be over 2 million by year’s end.

In Yuma, the daily cycle of crossings, then transport by border patrol continues.

Ulises, an asylum seeker from Cuba says the journey to the united states was very dangerous.

"Sometimes you're scared because you don't know the area and you can lose your life and there's a lot of danger," Ulises said.

Also according to the CBP numbers, over half of all migrants who were apprehended in February were expelled under Title 42, meaning they were sent back to their home country or Mexico without a court date.

Elian, another asylum seeker from cuba, says she does not want her asylum claim to be rejected.

"Truth be told it would be really rough if they sent us back because we come seeking asylum,” Elian said.

Neither Elian, or Ulises had heard of, or knew what Title 42 is.