EDINBURG – An increase in apprehensions along the border in the Rio Grande Valley is putting a strain on security operations, according to a Customs and Border Protection report.

The agency says there was a 203 percent increase in people being detained in March compared to the same month last year.

CBP adds the number of family units and unaccompanied children in custody increased by 49 percent and 41 percent, respectively.

The report states the apprehensions causes agents to be removed from the border, leaving areas open for smugglers.

CBP says these numbers conclude the Valley “continues to have the highest numbers of illegal border crossings in the nation.”