In a recent visit to the border by Secretary Mayorkas, little change is expected to occur, according to Arizona Republican Congressman Andy Biggs. While some clean-up efforts were made prior to the visit, with thousands of individuals being moved from under a bridge in Eagle Pass, the underlying issues still persist. Congressman Biggs, who co-chairs the Border Security Caucus and recently traveled to the border himself, explained that Border Patrol agents are overwhelmed with processing and transporting individuals, resulting in miles of unmonitored border lines.
During his visit, Congressman Biggs encountered individuals from various countries, including Guinea, Burkina Faso, India, Pakistan, Senegal, and Guatemala. These migrants expressed that entering the United States has become easier under the current administration and mentioned their awareness of promised benefits for those entering the country illegally. In fact, they carried laminated cards with addresses and contact information for sponsors, who were not government officials but seemingly individuals willing to assist them upon arrival.
The situation at the border has been labeled a crisis by some Democrats, including Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who openly acknowledged the challenges at hand. While a few Democrats have aligned themselves with Republican positions, they have not taken action to address the issue effectively.
Congressman Biggs highlighted the need for the administration to prioritize removal orders, as there are approximately 1.5 million people with removal orders still present in the country. These individuals have already undergone due process but have not been removed. By taking action to remove these individuals, Congressman Biggs believes it would act as a disincentive and potentially reduce the influx of migrants.
In New York, there have been ICE hearings for some migrants, but the problem lies in the fact that these hearings are scheduled for as far in the future as 2035. This timeframe raises doubts about the likelihood of individuals actually attending these hearings. The Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General recently reported that over 75% of individuals who enter the country cannot be located. Additionally, more than 90% of those who do attend these hearings fail to appear for their subsequent case hearings.
The current system is being exploited, with migrants taking advantage of the opportunity to work in the country for a few years while evading their legal obligations. This knowledge of how to work the system only exacerbates the challenges faced at the border. As the situation persists, Congress and the administration must work together to address the issues at hand and implement effective solutions to ensure the security and integrity of the border.
