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... Illegal border crossings have surged in recent years, reaching an all-time high last year. A bipartisan bill intended to bolster border security recently failed in Congress after former President Donald Trump demanded that Republicans kill it, with GOP criticism of President Joe Biden's immigration policies increasing as the November presidential election draws closer.

Troy A. Miller, CBP's senior official performing the duties of the commissioner, acknowledged in a press release on Tuesday that "serious challenges" remain at the border while saying that the improved numbers were the "result of seasonal trends, as well as enhanced enforcement efforts by the men and women of CBP and our international partners."

"Southwest border encounters between ports of entry dropped by 50% in January," Miller said. "We continue to experience serious challenges along our border which surpass the capacity of the immigration system."

"CBP remains on the frontline in preventing fentanyl and other dangerous drugs from entering our country, enforcing our nation's laws and interdicting 34% more fentanyl and 68% more cocaine than the previous month," he added. ...