Arrests at the border skyrocket

Last month, U.S. border patrol agents arrested or turned away 76,325 immigrants at the southern border, according to new DHS data — reaching the highest monthly number of arrests in a decade.

Why it matters: The majority of these immigrants are families or unaccompanied minors, many of whom are seeking asylum. While border apprehensions had been near all-time lows, the most recent month matches levels from the George W. Bush administration. The Trump administration is likely to use the high border numbers to bolster its claim of a national emergency.