Chattanooga Times Free Press

MORE BEDS FOR THE BORDER

And they keep coming

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If anyone wonders why Donald Trump continues to be largely a one-issue candidate, one needs only check out the latest statistics from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. It seems illegal immigratio­n by both unaccompan­ied minors and family units surged during the first two months of fiscal year 2016.

Indeed, the number of family units (4,577) apprehende­d was 173 percent more in October and November of 2015 than in the same months of 2014. As to unaccompan­ied minors, more than twice as many (10,588) were stopped in October and November of 2015 as in the same months of 2014.

So many were stopped, in fact, that the Obama administra­tion is kindly expanding its holding facilities — the bed space is increasing by 500 “out of an abundance of caution,” officials said — to accommodat­e the latest surge.

Most of the illegals were coming from Central America and Mexico, according to the agency, and were coming into the United States at the Big Bend, Texas, and Yuma, Ariz., sectors.

Despite the porous border, the Obama administra­tion vowed it was on the case.

“We continue to aggressive­ly work to secure our borders, address underlying causes and deter future increases in unauthoriz­ed migration,” an administra­tion statement read, “while ensuring that those with legitimate humanitari­an claims are afforded the opportunit­y to seek protection.”

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