The number of so call ‘family units’ with unaccompanied alien children coming from Mexico through the U.S. Ports of Entry increased 136 percent over the past five months, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In December, the numbers skyrocketed to 27,518, making it the highest monthly total ever recorded by the DHS.

And since the start of the year, CBP has already registered an average of 31,188 people.

With the government shutdown reaching it nineteenth day, US Border Patrol officials say their hands are tied and resources stretched. However, multiple Border Patrol agents and ICE officials say they support President Trump’s fight to allocate more resources and extend the wall at the southern border with Mexico.

“It’s been tough,” said a U.S. Border Patrol Official in McAllen, Texas. The official spoke on background as he was not authorized to speak to the media. “But look, the President is right. We deal with the border day in and out – our resources are stretched and the traffickers and drug cartels know this. The wall is not the total answer but it’s part of the bigger picture to make us more effective. It adds to our infrastructure and frees us up to do our job.”

An ICE officer, working along the Southern border, said “I’m disgusted with Pelosi and Schumer. They lie through their teeth to the American people. Will they open up their homes, kitchens and provide health care to all the people that cross illegally or fictitiously claim asylum?”

The situation may get worse before it get’s better and the $5.7 billion Trump is asking for in border funding doesn’t appear to be any closer to a resolution.

On Wednesday, President Trump met with congressional leaders reiterating again that Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refuse to budge on border wall funding in exchange for a reopening of the government.

Trump also reiterated this same message before the failed meeting Wednesday in his Tuesday address.

“The federal government remains shut down for one reason, and one reason only, because Democrats will not fund border security,” Trump said. The president arrived Thursday in McAllen, Texas to both supporters and protestors lined up on 10th Blvd. near McAllen International Airport. He came to assess the situation along the Texas border with Mexico, where cartel violence has consumed the Mexican city of Reynosa just miles from McAllen.

Cryin Chuck told his favorite lie when he used his standard sound bite that I “slammed the table & walked out of the room. He had a temper tantrum.” Because I knew he would say that, and after Nancy said no to proper Border Security, I politely said bye-bye and left, no slamming! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2019

Here are the report’s key takeaways:

The total number of family unit aliens (FMUA) apprehended in between the ports of entry and deemed inadmissible at the ports of entry: 31,901

In Fiscal Year 2017, CBP averaged 13,210 family units and unaccompanied alien children each month – in Fiscal Year 2019 CBP is now averaging 31,188 a month. That is a 136% increase.

The total number of FMUAs apprehended in between the ports of entry was 27,518. December was a record-breaking month for FMUAs apprehended at the border.

FMUA apprehensions through December total 75,794 – higher than 5 out of the last 7 years FY totals – exceeding all but FY16 and FY18, but currently tracking 253% higher than FY16 and 280% higher than FY18 for the same time frames.

Of FMUA apprehensions in December, 95% are from Northern Triangle. 96% for the first quarter. For the first quarter, 77% of family units are from Guatemala and Honduras alone.



Jennie Taer contributed to this report.