‘

September 21, 2023

The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas

Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20508

Dear Secretary Mayorkas,

It is reported that approximately 1.6 million illegal aliens have entered the United States as
“gotaways” since January 2021, including roughly 675,000 this fiscal year. But sources along the
border, including agents, sheriffs, and local officials, indicate the estimated gotaway number is
significantly higher. It is incumbent upon Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accurately
report this data as we all try to comprehend the full severity of the border crisis.

Under current practice, U.S. Border Patrol agents report daily on the number of people they
believe evaded apprehension. While those reports cannot be exact, agents typically provide a best
guest based on visuals of escaping aliens, images of aliens captured on camera, or “sign” that
aliens moved through an area. However, when agents report groups of aliens that exceed 20, no
matter the number above, the group is reported as “20+” and counted as 20.

For years, sources have claimed this maximum category of 20+ has led to underreporting. Now,
given the sheer volume of people entering the United States illegally, gotaway groups regularly
exceed that number, leading to further underreporting.

Gotaway aliens pose a significant threat to the safety of our communities and our national
security. Given their evasion of law enforcement, these individuals likely have criminal
backgrounds or cartel affiliations that would deem them inadmissible for legal entry or are
trafficking illegal drugs, weapons, or people into the country.

It is imperative that the information reported related to this border crisis be as accurate as
possible. Please provide an update on the following by October 31, 2023:
1. How DHS counts known gotaways;
2. DHS’s estimated number of gotaways for fiscal year 2023; and
3. Any changes DHS plans to implement to ensure accurate reporting, including increasing
the maximum reporting category of 20+.

Sincerely,

Andy Biggs
Member of Congress