Data released by the U.S. Border Patrol shows fiscal year (FY) 2016 on pace for a record number of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) apprehensions, essentially all of which occur on the southwest border.

During the first four months of FY2016 between October and January, there were 20,480 UAC apprehensions, well ahead of the previous record of 16,583 over the same time frame in FY2014.

The apprehensions also generally increase dramatically as temperatures warm in the latter two thirds of each fiscal year.  Thus, if current trends continue, FY2016 could end up exceeding the total full-year UAC apprehension record of 68,631 that took place in FY2014.

Family unit apprehensions are also on pace for a record year, with 24,667 during the first four months of FY2016 compared to only 3,234; 10,857; and 9,173 during the same time period in FYs 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively.