A FerroMex train, originating from Zacatecas, Mexico, and bound for the U.S. southern border, was reportedly filled with migrants, whose cheers could be heard as they clung to the sides of the train cars, according to a video that surfaced on Sunday.
This occurred despite the U.S. government's stern warning to migrants, stating unequivocally, "do not come."
The southern border has been grappling with an unprecedented surge in illegal crossings. For instance, Ajo, Arizona, witnessed 2,000 illegal crossings daily for several consecutive days last week. This influx compelled agents to resort to street releases as shelters reached full capacity. Notably, the migrants included individuals from Africa.
In the previous month, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection source reported that over 20,000 migrants were in Border Patrol custody in the Rio Grande Valley sector in Texas. The caravans heading toward the southern border comprised families with infants and children, as well as unaccompanied minors.
Many of the families intercepted along the Rio Grande Valley were released with future court dates. The Biden administration is now contemplating a policy that would require migrants who cross into the U.S. illegally to remain in Texas while awaiting their asylum screening.
Administration officials have touted this plan as a strategy to stem the tide of illegal immigrants at the southern border. The proposal also includes the use of ankle bracelets to monitor the location of apprehended migrants. However, the administration has faced legal challenges from Texas and Arizona, which have erected barriers in an attempt to curb the historic level of illegal migration.
Asylum screenings would be conducted to ascertain whether the migrants can stay in the U.S. Officials are considering collaborating with local groups to provide housing for the migrants.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that since May, it has removed or returned over 200,000 individuals. "DHS continuously holds policy and operational discussions on how to leverage our authorities to ensure a fair, humane, and effective immigration process that efficiently removes those without a lawful basis to stay in the country," the DHS statement read.
Texas has implemented a busing program to transport migrants to "sanctuary cities" such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, aiming to alleviate the burden on border towns. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has contended that Texas cities have borne the brunt of illegal immigration and that "sanctuary cities" should share this responsibility.
"Texas has bused over 35,000 migrants to self-declared sanctuary cities," Abbott wrote earlier this month on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Over 11,300 to D.C., over 13,300 to NYC, over 6,700 to Chicago, over 2,600 to Philadelphia, over 1,000 to Denver, over 480 to LA."
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