Massive spike in criminal migrants entering US since 2021, data shows

The amount of criminal immigrants attempting to enter the U.S. has spiked in recent years, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data reveals.

Over 13,000 "criminal noncitizens" have attempted to enter the U.S. and been apprehended by Border Patrol agents in Fiscal Year 2024, a rise from 4,269 in FY 2019.

CBP defines "criminal noncitizens" as "individuals who have been convicted of one or more crimes, whether in the United States or abroad, prior to interdiction by the U.S. Border Patrol," the agency's website notes.