The Biden administration is responding to the potential influx of migrants by deploying 1,500 active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border for 90 days. The troops will provide operational support to US immigration authorities, but will not use force or make arrests. Rep. Tony Gonzales has warned that the situation is "getting worse" and has called on the Biden administration to address the root causes of migration.
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The Biden administration is preparing for a record surge in migration across the southern border when Covid restrictions end in May. To address this, the administration is expected to announce the establishment of immigration processing centers in Latin America on Thursday. The administration is also working to increase the number of beds available in detention centers and shelters, as well as provide additional resources to process asylum claims, though it is unclear how effective the new processing centers will be.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced his candidacy for the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination. In his speech, he criticized the Biden administration's economic policies and promised to get the economy back on track if elected. He also highlighted his long history of public service, saying his "mettle has been tested" and he is ready to lead the country. Hutchinson's announcement marks the start of a competitive race for the nomination.
At a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas a "liar" and accused Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) of having a "sexual relationship with a Chinese spy" without offering any evidence. Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), the chair of the committee, barred Greene from speaking any further and plans to have a conversation with her about her comments and the expected decorum of the committee. The incident has sparked debate about the appropriateness of Greene's comments and what action, if any, will be taken against her.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency in all counties affected by the severe storms that hit the state on Friday night, resulting in 24 deaths, dozens of injuries, and four missing people. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has also tweeted that his department will provide support to the affected communities, and the state is now assessing the damage and providing assistance to those affected.
Federal officials are monitoring an uptick in violent rhetoric online, including calls for “civil war”, since former President Donald Trump asked his supporters to “protest” his impending arrest. The New York Young Republican Club held a pro-Trump rally outside the Manhattan district attorney’s office which was sparsely attended and peaceful. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are continuing to monitor the situation, as there is still a potential for violence.
The Biden administration is considering reinstating the policy of detaining migrant families who cross the border illegally, as they prepare for the end of Title 42, the public health order that allows border agents to immediately turn away certain migrants. This is being discussed in response to the high number of migrant border crossings and the expiration of Title 42, which has been used to expel more than 2.3 million people since it was invoked by the Trump administration. No decisions have been made yet, but many inside the administration are resisting the move.
The White House has issued guidance to all federal agencies to remove the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from all government-issued devices within 30 days. This follows a bill passed at the end of last year requiring federal agencies to remove the app due to security concerns. Within 90 days, agencies must include in contracts that the app cannot be used on devices and must cancel any contracts that necessitate its use.