![](https://web.archive.org/web/20240105195053/https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/c2832409-6de7-42b9-b27e-9555f975e79e-MIGRANTVISUALS_encounters_overall-_700px.jpg)
Illegal border encounters, annual
Title 42 ends
Mexican financial crisis
2007-09 recession
2.0
million
Covid pandemic.
Title 42 implemented.
Reagan amnesty
9/11
1.5
Remain in Mexico
implemented
1.0
0.5
0
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20240105195053/https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/c2832409-6de7-42b9-b27e-9555f975e79e-MIGRANTVISUALS_encounters_overall-_620px.jpg)
Illegal border encounters, annual
Title 42 ends
Mexican financial crisis
2007-09 recession
2.0
million
Covid pandemic.
Title 42 implemented.
Reagan amnesty
9/11
1.5
Remain in Mexico
implemented
1.0
0.5
0
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20240105195053/https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/c2832409-6de7-42b9-b27e-9555f975e79e-MIGRANTVISUALS_encounters_overall-_540px.jpg)
Illegal border encounters, annual
Title 42 ends
Mexican financial crisis
2007-09 recession
2.0
million
Covid pandemic.
Title 42 implemented.
Reagan amnesty
9/11
1.5
Remain in Mexico
implemented
1.0
0.5
0
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20240105195053/https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/c2832409-6de7-42b9-b27e-9555f975e79e-MIGRANTVISUALS_encounters_overall-_355px.jpg)
Illegal border encounters, annual
Title 42 ends
Mexican financial
crisis
Covid pandemic.
Title 42 implemented.
2.0
million
2007-09
recession
Reagan amnesty
9/11
1.5
Remain in
Mexico
implemented
1.0
0.5
0
1980
’90
2000
’10
’20
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20240105195053/https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/c2832409-6de7-42b9-b27e-9555f975e79e-MIGRANTVISUALS_encounters_overall-_300px.jpg)
Illegal border encounters, annual
Title 42 ends
Mexican financial
crisis
Covid pandemic.
Title 42 implemented.
2.0
million
2007-09
recession
Reagan amnesty
9/11
1.5
Remain in
Mexico
implemented
1.0
0.5
0
1980
’90
2000
’10
’20
Historically high numbers of people are illegally entering the U.S., straining an immigration system already overwhelmed by the number of families coming across the border to request asylum.
Border agents made 2.05 million arrests in the federal fiscal year that ended in September, new government data show, the second year in a row that figure has exceeded two million. In the past, the numbers have risen and fallen based on significant economic and policy changes like recessions and pandemic-era border restrictions. But they never exceeded 1.7 million and never stayed at an elevated level as long as they have the past few years.
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