DHS cheers 31 percent drop in border apprehensions
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The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the border fell 31 percent in fiscal 2015, but said that decline is good news, as it's a sign that fewer illegal immigrants are trying to cross the border into the U.S.
In its year-end report, DHS said 337,117 people were apprehended at the border, down from 486,651 in the prior year. Secretary Jeh Johnson said that shows fewer people are trying.
"[T]he removal numbers were driven by the dramatic decrease in those apprehended at the border in FY 2015 — 337,117 — the second lowest apprehension number since 1972, reflecting a lower level of attempted illegal migration at our borders," he said.
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But Republicans in Congress were already doubting DHS's explanation, and said lower overall enforcement numbers were the real reason for the decline.