End of Title 42: Border Patrol Union Officials Worried About Surge in Crossings
Title 42, the Trump-era policy that allowed Border Patrol agents to use COVID-19 as a reason to turn people away at the border, is set to expire.
This development has raised concerns among Border Patrol Union officials who fear a surge in border crossings.
Law enforcement agencies, including DPS Troopers and the Texas National Guard, have stepped in to address the situation.
There are multiple factors at play in this complex situation.
Law enforcement agencies are making preparations to handle the influx of migrants entering the US, while efforts are also being made to support these migrants once they have entered the country.
Annie Ellie Ruiz provides live team coverage from the border in Brownsville, while Adam Bennett reports from Houston on how shelters are preparing for the incoming migrants.
According to the Border Patrol union president, the number of daily crossings has increased from a manageable 1,500 to a staggering 8,000.
The union president expressed concern over the thinning of their crews due to the rapid rise in crossings.
In the past few days alone, they have witnessed 10,000 people crossing the border, not just from Central America, but also from Africa, India, and China.
This diversity in migrant origins has intensified worries about the increasing numbers in the days to come.
The imminent expiration of Title 42 has become a significant concern for those patrolling the border.
Border Patrol Union President Brandon Judd described their state of mind as “defeated, defeated, demoralized.” They fear that the worst is yet to come, and the stretched-thin agents are struggling to process the growing number of people crossing the river.
This leaves a gap in border security, creating an opportunity for cartels to smuggle high-value products like fentanyl, which continues to claim the lives of thousands of US citizens each year.
To alleviate some of the burden, DPS troopers and the Texas National Guard have taken action.
They have deployed barbed wire along the border and, in some cases, physically blocked migrants at the river, turning them away.
They communicate with migrants in Spanish, warning them about the dangers of crossing and encouraging them to seek asylum through official ports of entry, which are safer and better controlled.
In an attempt to streamline the asylum-seeking process, the federal government introduced the CBP One app.
However, many families have reported difficulties using the app.
As a result, some families, like the Guerra family from Venezuela, have resorted to crossing the river without relying on the app.
Mr.
Guerra explained that the financial difficulties in Venezuela made it impossible for him to provide even basic medication for his daughters.
He hopes to find work in the US to secure a better future for his children, including his fifth-grade daughter Ariana, who dreams of becoming a doctor.
The area along the river where these crossings occur is a hotspot due to the presence of a shelter in Matamoros, Mexico, just across the border.
Additionally, Senator Ted Cruz is expected to hold a press conference at the location, highlighting the significance of the situation.
Meanwhile, in Houston, preparations are underway to receive those who are seeking asylum.
The story continues with Adam Bennett reporting from Houston, capturing the perspectives of those involved in the asylum-seeking process.
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