«Breaking News» Surge in illegal migrants crossing the border in large groups overwhelms authorities

Record-breaking numbers of large groups of people illegally crossing the southern border have strained Border Patrol to the breaking point, officials say.

At a press conference in Washington DC on Tuesday, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan appealed to lawmakers to address the growing crisis.

'This situation is not sustainable,' McAleenan said. 'The system is well beyond capacity and remains at the breaking point.' 

Officials revealed that 76,000 migrants crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally last month, more than double the number from the same period last year. 

Since October, 70 groups of more than 100 people have crossed, often in extremely remote areas where they immediately surrender and claim asylum. Last year, there were only 13 such groups, and only two the year before. 

Since October, 70 groups of more than 100 people have crossed the southern border illegally, often in extremely remote areas where they immediately surrender and claim asylum

This group of 376 Central Americans 'inundated agents' after crossing the border through a series of hasty tunnels near Yuma, Arizona in January 

U.S. Border Patrol Chief of Operations Brian Hastings (left) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Kevin McAleenan spoke of the alarming trend at a Tuesday press conference

The chart above shows this year's border apprehensions in red, indicating a dramatic spike in illegal crossings fueled in part by large groups of more than 100 people

Officials say the massive groups crossing in unison strain border patrol resources and are intentionally used as a 'diversionary tactic' by drug smugglers.

'Drug trafficking organizations are utilizing these groups as cover and diversion to divert our agents away,' said Border Patrol Chief of Operations Brian Hastings, citing at least four specific instances when traffickers moved drugs into the U.S. as agents struggled to process a large group elsewhere.

Hastings said that '99 per cent' of the large groups were family units from the Northern Triangle countries: Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. 

'The word of mouth and social media quickly gets back to those Northern Triangle countries, that if you bring a child you'll be successful,' Hastings said.

'It's well known at this time that adults with children will not be detained during the immigration proceedings for illegal entry,' he added.

In New Mexico, this group of 247 illegally crossed into the U.S. near the Antelope Wells Port of Entry in January. CBP's chief calls the situation 'a border security and humanitarian crisis'

This group of nearly 200 illegal immigrants crossed into New Mexico last week

Last summer, public backlash and court rulings forced President Donald Trump's administration to abandon a plan to arrest all who crossed the border illegally, including those who crossed with children.

Hastings said the result is a 'a dangerous trend' of adults bringing children to remote crossings far from central processing and medical facilities.

Last year, two children died in Border Patrol custody, prompting agents to step up medical screening.

Hastings said that agents had uncovered thousands of fraudulent familial claims in recent months, including many cases of adults posing as the parents of children.  

'The Border Patrol has no reason to expect that this trend will decrease. In fact, we believe it will increase,' Hastings said of the large groups.

McAleenan made an urgent appeal to lawmakers of both parties to address the crisis. 

'This is clearly both a border security and humanitarian crisis,' he said. 

Last month, Border Patrol agents in Sunland Park, New Mexico apprehend this group of more than 300 illegal migrants. Officials say migrants bring children as a legal tactic

'And we know what is driving these trends. These increases in traffic are a direct response from smugglers and migrants to the vulnerabilities in our legal system,' McAleenan added. 

'These weaknesses in our immigration laws and accumulated court rulings now represent the most significant factors impacting border security and causing this humanitarian crisis,' he said.

McAleenan said that the legal loopholes that prevent the arrest of adults crossing with children are a powerful incentive for illegal crossings. 

'Crossing with a child is a guarantee of speedy release and an indefinite stay in the United States,' he said.

'The message from smuggling organizations to parents in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvadore is clear: If you bring a child, you will gain entry to the United States, and you will be allowed to stay.' 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/06/surge-in-illegal-migrants-crossing-the-border-in-large-groups-overwhelms-authorities/
Main photo article Record-breaking numbers of large groups of people illegally crossing the southern border have strained Border Patrol to the breaking point, officials say.
At a press conference in Washington DC on Tuesday, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan appealed to lawmakers to ...

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Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca





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