In fiscal 2023, over 1.9 million people illegally entered Texas, according to official U.S. Customs and Border Protection data and preliminary gotaway data exclusively obtained by The Center Square.
The gotaway data, which is not released publicly, excludes OFO data.
"Gotaways" is the official CBP term defining those who illegally enter the U.S. primarily between ports of entry, intentionally seeking to evade capture by law enforcement, and who don't turn back to Mexico or Canada.
The Center Square has been reporting preliminary gotaway data every month after obtaining it from a Border Patrol agent on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
Texas' minimum 449,691 gotaways account for nearly 60% of the minimum 769,174 gotaways who illegally entered the entire southwest border in fiscal 2023, according to the Border Patrol data obtained by The Center Square.
Historically, Border Patrol agents working in the Del Rio and RGV sectors have reported the greatest number of illegal border crossers and gotaways.
Border Patrol data in Laredo and Big Bend sectors shows reported gotaways accounted for more than half of their apprehensions.
In fiscal 2023, RGV's gotaway numbers were extraordinarily low.
Official data is still a best guess because agents aren't able to report every gotaway for several reasons.
Former Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz previously testified to Congress that gotaway data is underreported by between 10% and 20%. Ultimately, law enforcement officials say they have no idea how many gotaways are in the U.S., where or who they are.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_346f98ee-818b-11ee-b148-a348cf21d178.html
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