Several temporary migrant holding centers near the southern border are now filled beyond capacity, reflecting a significant challenge facing law enforcement and communities since President Joe Biden ended the Title 42 asylum program.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are reportedly facing a sharp increase in the number of migrants attempting to cross the border. According to one CBP source, the agency recently detained more than 17,000 in a single day.
The CBP holds more than 2,000 migrants at a facility near Eagle Pass, Texas. It was designed to hold 1,000 people.
Several CBP zones along the border also saw a significant wave of migrants attempting to cross. In the Rio Grande Valley Sector, 1,000 migrants were apprehended in a 24-hour period earlier this week.
The officers within the same zone detained more than 4,000 migrants in August’s first three days.
🚨Breaking News: Border Patrol Agents from #RGC Station encountered over 1.1K migrants in a 24 hour period near La Grulla, TX. Amazing work of addressing medical emergencies, transportation, and field intake. Way to go RGC! 💚🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/X4OXSFdLYM
— Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez (@USBPChiefRGV) August 4, 2023
The CBP sector near Tucson, Arizona also saw a steady flow of illegal immigrants. In the first three days of the month, that sector captured more than 5,000 migrants. This included one group of more than 500 coming from 17 countries.
Overall, the CPB captured more than 130,000 attempted border crossers last month. This was a significant increase from June’s nearly 100,000. The first four days of August brought 17,000 apprehensions so far.
Biden’s decision to end the Title 42 asylum policy enacted by former President Donald Trump played a significant role in a wave of migrants approaching the border.
Earlier this year, officials stated that the end of the policy could result in an average of 10,000 migrants per day crossing the border.
A number of other states are facing similar issues with the increased flow of migrant traffic. Cities such as New York and Chicago have strained under the weight of the increased population.
New York alone has taken in nearly 100,000 migrants since last year alone. The city is struggling with finding enough facilities to house the immigrants. Photos show a significant number of migrants sleeping along the city’s sidewalks.
