Key takeaways: The death of a 3-year-old migrant girl was announced on Friday, while she was riding a bus from Texas to Chicago. The cause…
Posts tagged as “U.S.-Mexico”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has deployed miles of buoy barricades in the Rio Grande to repel migrant crossings, despite the Biden administration's threat to sue the state. In response, Abbott has declared his plans to continue using the barricade and has called on the Biden administration to enforce existing immigration laws and to secure the border. The Justice Department is expected to file a lawsuit against the state in the coming days, with the outcome of the legal battle having far-reaching implications for the future of border security in the U.S.
Texas state officials are under investigation for their efforts to deter illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border, which have been criticized by human rights groups and the Biden administration for placing migrants, including children, at risk of drowning or being cut by razor wire. The internal complaint, now under investigation, is in relation to Operation Lone Star, a sprawling border effort led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican. It is yet to be seen what action, if any, will be taken in response to the allegations.
On Saturday, tragedy struck Big Bend National Park in Texas when a 14-year-old boy and his stepfather died while hiking in extreme heat. Park Rangers and agents from the U.S. Border Patrol arrived to find the teen had passed away and the stepfather had attempted to hike back to their vehicle, but had crashed down an embankment. The National Park Service has expressed its condolences and reminds hikers to take precautions when in extreme heat.
Raul Ortiz, the U.S. Border Patrol Chief, is retiring from federal service at the end of June after more than three decades with the agency. Acting Commissioner Troy Miller praised Ortiz for his service and leadership, and the agency is currently searching for a replacement. Ortiz's retirement comes after he helped oversee policy changes this month to curb irregular crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Steve Bannon, former chief strategist of President Donald Trump, will stand trial in May 2024 on charges of fraud related to a fundraiser for a wall along the U.S. southern border. The fundraiser, which raised more than $25 million, is accused of being "based on false promises" by the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Bannon has denied all the charges against him and the trial is seen as a test of the legal system's ability to hold powerful people accountable.
Nikki Haley, former United Nations ambassador and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, discussed the Biden administration's efforts to address the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border on CBS' "Face the Nation." Haley noted that the administration has increased deportation flights and barred migrants who try to enter without permission, subjecting them to a five year ban. She concluded by saying that the administration must be honest with the American people about the situation at the border.
The Biden administration has ended the Title 42 pandemic-era rule, allowing an estimated 60,000 migrants to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said the U.S. had a plan in place for more than a year and a half, and that individuals will be taken into custody and removed quickly under traditional immigration authorities. Migrants were seen crossing the border in single file, with the bus flanked by members of the National Guard and Border Patrol.