Migrants have been rushing to cross the southern border and gain entrance to the U.S. as the Biden administration prepares to reimplement former president Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy.
The surge began shortly after the Department of Homeland and Security announced on Dec. 2 that, as part of its efforts to comply with a federal court order, it would restart the Migrant Protection Protocols program, which requires migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to stay in Mexico while their claims make their way through the court system.
Large groups of migrants crossed the southern border near Eagle Pass, Texas, and Yuma, Arizona, in hopes of “getting in” before the Dec. 2 deadline, according to one Border Patrol agent stationed near Eagle Pass who spoke with the Washington Examiner.
The Border Patrol chief in Del Rio, Texas, confirmed that crossings escalated last week.
“Over 3,500 encountered since Friday!” Del Rio Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday. “Undocumented migrants continue to enter illegally throughout our area of responsibility…and in large numbers! In one event, nearly 200 crossed together and were arrested in Eagle Pass this weekend. The numbers we have in custody continue to increase.”
Another Del Rio agent said the sector is in the worst shape it’s been since “the 15,000 Haitians showed up in Del Rio” towards the end of the summer.
The Biden administration attempted to shut down the “Remain in Mexico” program several times. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted it is still his intention to try and dismantle the policy. But for now, administration officials are complying with it.
DHS and the State Department will coordinate housing for asylum-seekers away from dangerous border cities, a DHS official said. The U.S. will also provide transportation for migrants to and from ports of entry when they need to return to attend court hearings.
