There are 24,000 border guards along with thousands of troops and contractors helping to deal with the large influx of migrants.
Mayorkas reiterated that the country’s border is not open. (Photo: PL)
United States Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reiterated Friday that the country’s border is not open while tens of thousands of people attempt to cross from Mexico.
By the end of the controversial Title 42, which happened at midnight this Thursday, scores of people, including entire families, gathered in neighboring Mexican regions hoping to apply for asylum.
The policy that allowed for expeditious deportation of immigrants gave way to another policy known as Title 8, under which applications are processed but excludes those who did not seek protection in another country en route to the United States .
Likewise, those who cannot show they qualify for an exception to the rule face deportation to their country of origin or Mexico and five years’ deportation from that northern territory.
As Mayorkas told Msnbc News, 24,000 border guards, along with thousands of troops and contractors, are deployed to help deal with the large influx of migrants.
Adding to today’s chaotic situation on the southern border is the confusion caused by a US judge’s ruling the previous day that blocked part of the immigration policy that is due to take effect that day.
District Judge T. Kent Wetherell’s ruling, at the request of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, prevents the government from temporarily releasing migrants who enter the territory illegally.
With this provision, President Joe Biden’s administration sought to prevent prison overcrowding by temporarily releasing some asylum seekers on the condition that they notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
As of Thursday, nearly 25,000 people were in Border Police facilities and tents, although the agency only had the capacity to house a few thousand, Border Patrol Chief Raúl Ortiz said.
As problems mounted, the Biden administration asked Wetherell to maintain his parole system, albeit under “emergency” terms.
However, the judge stood his ground, arguing that the new policy violated a federal law that requires at least the temporary detention of anyone found crossing the border illegally.
Immediately after the verdict, Mayorkas released a video message in which he reaffirmed the government’s position.
“As of this evening, people who arrive at the border without a legal route are not considered to be entitled to asylum. “We stand ready to charge and deport persons who have no legal basis to remain in the United States,” he said.
