Mayorkas visits chaotic border as Title 42 nears end.

Alejandro Mayorkas Visits Texas-Mexico Border Ahead of Historic Cross-Border Migration Event

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

visited the Rio Grande Valley region of southeast Texas to see how federal law enforcement has prepared for what is expected to be a historic cross-border migration event next week. Mayorkas’ visit comes a week ahead of when the Biden administration will stop expelling illegal immigrants back to Mexico under Title 42 and return to pre-pandemic protocols.

Border Falling into Chaos Ahead of Title 42 End Date

The end of Title 42 on May 11 is expected to see between 13,000 and 18,000 arrests of illegal immigrants per day given that countless immigrants have been waiting in Mexico to cross when the policy is lifted. But already, the Rio Grande Valley city of Brownsville and the West Texas city of El Paso are experiencing massive increases in apprehensions.

Mayorkas Keeps a Low Profile

While in the Brownsville area, Mayorkas kept a low profile, skipping out on the normal press conference meetings with local and national media as the situation up and down the border grows more chaotic. Pool reports from media ride-alongs and tours with Border Patrol in McAllen made no mention of where Mayorkas was as reporters spent all day in separate engagements.

Massive Group of Immigrants Crosses Border Illegally

In El Paso, video shared exclusively with the Washington Examiner showed a massive group of immigrants after they had crossed the border illegally and were waiting next to a metal fence, waiting to be taken into custody. In another scene caught on camera by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), whose district includes part of El Paso, hundreds of immigrants who crossed in the same area had set up an encampment, similar to how the September 2021 influx of 15,000 Haitian immigrants began at the time.

73,000 People Apprehended by Border Patrol Nationwide

Approximately 73,000 people were apprehended by Border Patrol nationwide between April 21-30.

Mayorkas Avoids Press Conference

Mayorkas, who normally holds a press conference during trips to the border, bucked reporters, and the Department of Homeland Security did not disclose if he would meet with Border Patrol agents at any point Thursday or Friday.

Border Patrol Agents Criticize Mayorkas

Historically, during meetings with Border Patrol agents during his trips, Mayorkas has been dragged through the mud by agents who strongly criticized him and Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz for allowing the worst illegal immigration event in history to go on for more than two years.

Conclusion

The situation at the Texas-Mexico border is growing more chaotic as the end of Title 42 approaches. Mayorkas’ visit to the region highlights the gravity of the situation, but his low profile and avoidance of press conferences raise concerns about the government’s handling of the issue. With apprehensions on the rise and a historic cross-border migration event expected, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address the crisis.