More than 300,000 people arrived at southern border in December: CBP

U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Friday confirmed that border agents reported more than 300,000 migrant encounters along the nation's southern border with Mexico in December.

In total there were 302,034 encounters, including 249,785 between points of entry last month. The figures represent a significant uptick from November, during which CBP logged 242,418 arrivals, including 191,113 between ports of entry.

CBP also processed 45,770 people at ports of entry, who made appointments through the CBP One app.

"The men and women of CBP continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws at and between ports of entry and continue to work with our Mexican partners along our shared border. CBP remains vigilant to respond to the serious challenges we are experiencing across the southwest border," said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller.

"CBP continues to use all available resources to ensure the safety and security of our agents and officers, and the migrants who are often misled and victimized by the transnational criminal organizations," he continued. "But as we have repeatedly said, CBP and our federal partners need additional support from Congress so that we can continue to effectuate consequences for those who do not use established lawful pathways."

Miller's plea for congressional aid comes amid a standoff between the White House and Democrat-led Senate and House Republicans over a prospective deal linking border security efforts to funding for Ukraine. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday suggested that a reported plan under negotiation in the Senate would be "dead on arrival" in the lower chamber.

It also comes amid mounting tensions between Texas authorities and the federal government over the state's unilateral efforts to secure the border in the face of perceived federal apathy toward the surge in illegal crossings.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.