DHS releases FY2017 border security statistics for New England

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced its end-of-year immigration enforcement numbers for New England for fiscal year 2017 (FY17).

“CBP officers at the ports of entry throughout New England are committed to enforcing the border security laws of our nation, which includes a significant focus on counterterrorism, while also facilitating international trade and travel,” William A. Ferrara, director of field operations for Boston, said.

According to the statistics, the total number of apprehensions in FY17 in Swanton and Houlton Sectors increased. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported 449 apprehensions in Swanton Sector and 30 in Houlton Sector.

However, apprehensions of individuals present without admission from Canada (PWAC) declined. There were 165 PWAC apprehensions in Swanton Sector and 11 in Houlton Sector.

Collaboration between Air and Marine agents and other law enforcement agencies resulted in 14 apprehensions and 213 criminal arrests in New England.

CBP officers at the Boston Field Office, which covers all of New England, intercepted 4,788 inadmissible aliens, an increase from FY16. The total number of arriving passengers, however, also increased from last year.

Nationwide in FY17, CBP reported 310,531 apprehensions and the lowest level of illegal cross-border migration on record, as measured by apprehensions along the border and inadmissible encounters at U.S. ports of entry.

“The work our agents have successfully carried out in FY17 intercepting those who have violated our immigration laws is to be commended and we will remain vigilant as we move forward in the years to come,” Houlton Chief Patrol Agent Daniel R. Hiebert said.