Congress concluded its sessions for the holiday season and is scheduled to reconvene after the commencement of the new year. Unfortunately, legislators departed without reaching a consensus on additional funding and policy modifications related to the border. This has left the situation at the southern frontier placing considerable strain on Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
On December 18, around 4,000 migrants were held in CBP custody in Eagle Pass, Texas, marking a significant influx. Another 4,000 individuals crossed the border on the same day, surpassing previous records.
Agents interviewed by NewsNation characterized it as the most substantial migrant surge ever witnessed in the region. The news outlet purportedly obtained visuals depicting groups of over 100 people entering the US throughout the day.
Exceeding 10,000 encounters in a single day, the volume of illegal crossings has reached a critical level. CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller emphasized that this surge poses a substantial challenge for the dedicated men and women of the Border Patrol. Miller pointed out that smugglers are jeopardizing the safety of migrants by guiding them through perilous routes, such as remote areas, train summits, or the waters of the Rio Grande River.
Acting Commissioner Miller appealed to Congress for increased funding for his agency, aiming to bolster their capabilities in addressing the surge and countering the novel methods employed by smugglers to bring migrants into the country.
In response to a surge in migrants riding on top of train cars, CBP took the decision to close two international railroad crossings. A collaborative effort between Mexico and the US was initiated to halt the trains and apprehend individuals entering America unlawfully.
Additionally, authorities have discovered instances of smugglers releasing immigrants, including those from places like China, into the Arizona desert, creating challenges for local agents who find themselves overwhelmed by the influx.
The severity of the migrant surge has compelled the commissioner to relocate agents from other ports of entry to assist areas grappling with substantial influxes. Regrettably, this adjustment is purportedly exacerbating the crisis further.
