ND border detentions, which rose significantly in fiscal year 2023, on track to remain at that level
Feb. 29—GRAND FORKS — Grand Forks Sector border detentions rose 270% between fiscal year 2022 and 2023, and are expected to remain at that level this fiscal year, according to a border patrol agent.
"It looks like we're pacing last year right now," David Marcus said.
The federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30. From Oct. 1, 2023, to the end of January 2024, there were 77 detentions. At the same time the previous FY, there were 70.
Though this is an increase, it's only an additional seven people across four months, so not enough to identify an upward trend yet, Marcus said.
In FY 2023, the Grand Forks Sector of Border Patrol detained 300 people near the U.S.-Canada border. In FY 2022, there were 81 detained. In FY 2021, there were 90.
In October, Chief Patrol Agent Scott Garrett said it was likely that the significant incline was due to increased traffic as well as additional patrols. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed illegal crossings.
The Grand Forks Sector of Border Patrol held a press conference in the fall with hopes of deterring illegal immigration through the winter due to the increased risk that, for some, results in their death.
Though there have been a notable amount of people detained this fall and winter, there have been zero deaths reported, Marcus said.
"I don't believe there's been any severe cold-related injuries, either," he said.
It's possible that milder weather attracted additional smugglers this winter, but it was much colder last winter, and the numbers are very close between the two. The detentions per month, though, vary quite a bit.
* In October 2022, there were seven detentions. The following year, there were 19.
* In November 2022, there were 30 detentions. The following year, there were 22.
* In December 2022, there were 27 detentions. The following year, there were eight.
* In January 2023, there were six detentions. The following year, there were 28.
"If they're using a smuggling organization, they're really at the hands of that smuggling organization," Marcus said. "Where you're crossing, when you're crossing. They don't take weather into account most of the time."
Most of the people detained within the Grand Forks Sector's jurisdiction are part of a group. There are occasionally pairs or trios, but very rarely is an individual detained by themselves, Marcus said.
This winter, there have been larger groups than usual, with one group of 15 and another of 19. Detained near Neche, North Dakota, they were all originally from Romania, Marcus said.
In FY 2023, the most common places of origin for those detained were Mexico, the United Kingdom and Honduras. So far in FY 2024, the top three have been Romania, Mexico and Nicaragua. The difference between Romania and Mexico was just one or two people, Marcus said.
Among those detained, the most common reason they plan to illegally cross the border is because they hope to leave a less-than-ideal situation behind, and hope to find better opportunities.
"People say they can't find work in their home countries, or they live in an area where it's very dangerous," Marcus said. "They seek to come to the United States in order to better themselves and their families."
