The U.S. Border Patrol chief reported there were more than 18,000 “known gotaways” during the first 16 days of fiscal year 2024.
“These are individuals whose identities & purpose we do not know,” Chief Jason Owens wrote on Twitter.
Over 18K known gotaways in the first 16 days of FY24. These are individuals whose identities & purpose we do not know. That is why you need every Border Patrol agent to be in the field and on patrol. pic.twitter.com/uQlRgR76HQ
— Chief Jason Owens (@USBPChief) October 17, 2023
The report received much backlash from members of Congress including Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who tweeted it is an “existential crisis.”
“Yesterday, USBP agents in El Paso arrested a Venezuelan national, who is a suspected Tren de Araguas gang member. He was also incarcerated for murder & theft in his native country,” Owens tweeted on October 3.
“This past weekend, USBP agents interdicted 4 convicted sex offenders from re-entering our country illegally,” Owens tweeted on October 2. He listed their convictions as, “Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child,” “Criminal Sexual Act on a Child,” “Murder, Rape, or Sexual Abuse of a Minor Liberties w/ Child,” and “Sex w/ a Minor.”
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