North Nevada News

A record number of arrests, 1.9 million, were made at the nation's southern border last year, according to recently released data. 

Of the 1.9 million arrested for illegally crossing the border, 402,000 migrants were released into the U.S. while the rest were sent back to their home countries or Mexico under Title 42, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Adam Laxalt, a U.S. senator from Nevada, recently spoke out about his concern for the rising crime related to the southern border, according to an article in the Reno Gazette Journal. Laxalt cited "all-time highs" in drug trafficking and human trafficking.

Though last year represented a record number of arrests, the problem of arrests at America's southern border is not necessarily news. It has been a long-standing problem for the state and for the country. 

In the year 2019, Border Patrol agents reportedly made 851,508 arrests at the southern border, The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 22, 2021. A reported 1.66 million arrests in fiscal year 2021 represents nearly a 95% increase in arrests over just two years. Border Patrol agents are reportedly frustrated from those in charge to control the high number of migrants, according to former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott, the Journal reported.

Republicans have certainly taken note of the issue and turned their attention to the administration of President Joe Biden to do something about the problem. 

Republican attorneys recently filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration concerning illegal immigration. As the case has made its way through court, data has been disclosed showing that only 20% of the arrested migrants were “released into the U.S. to await hearings on their asylum applications,” down from 56% during a pre-pandemic surge.

Also drawing the ire of Republicans is Democrat Gov. Steve Sisolak. The Republican Governor's Association was critical of Sisolak in September. It argued Sisolak should send the National Guard to help Border Patrol agents.

“Sisolak has resources available to him that would go a long way in helping our overwhelmed border patrol agents as the crisis at our southern border rages on,” spokesperson Maddie Anderson said in a statement on the association's website. “Sisolak’s refusal to step in and help border patrol and law enforcement is inexcusable. He must put politics aside and stop turning a blind eye to the massive humanitarian and security crisis at our border.”