Federal agents patrolling the busiest U.S. Customs and Border Protection sector at the northern border are apprehending a record number of foreign nationals illegally entering the U.S. through Canada.
In just the past nine months, since the beginning of the 2023 fiscal year on Oct. 1, border agents in the Swanton Sector have apprehended more than 4,600 people from over 67 countries, more than they have in the past seven years combined. The sector covers 295 miles along the Canada-U.S. border and includes all of Vermont, six upstate New York counties and three New Hampshire counties.
In June, Swanton Sector Border Patrol agents alone apprehended at least 676 illegal foreign nationals and reported 287 gotaways. In May, they apprehended at least 503 and reported 157 gotaways, according to preliminary data obtained by The Center Square from a Border Patrol agent.
This is after they apprehended 742 illegal foreign nationals and reported 142 gotaways in April and apprehended 816 and reported 371 gotaways in March, as previously reported by The Center Square.
