Border Patrol agents in Del Rio, Texas were so concerned about the escalating situation at the U.S.-Mexico border that they requested additional resources three months ago - but their concerns were not acted on by superiors.
Jon Anfinsen, National Border Patrol Council local president told CNN that the union on June 1 suggested improvements to the system.
Anfinsen said that they wanted agents to be sent to the border with tablets to start the intake process when a large group crosses the river, instead of having the group wait there while space is cleared in the station.
'This way, we can at least get part of the process finished before they even get to the station instead of wasting that time,' said the email.
The union followed up on June 3, and also suggested placing a trailer in the area for additional staff, to deal with a predicted surge.
On June 17, the union received a one-sentence response: 'This is being explored, several other platforms are being considered which are more efficient.'
The revelation came as Jen Psaki, the White House spokesman, promised to provide precise data on the number of Haitian arrivals released into the country - yet by 10pm had failed to do so.
Migrants, many of them from Haiti, are pictured wading back and forth between Texas and Mexico on Wednesday. At the weekend an estimated 14,000 migrants were sheltering in Del Rio
Jon Anfinsen, National Border Patrol Council local president, pictured testifying before Congress, said on Wednesday that they had warned back in June about the need for more resources on the U.S.-Mexico border
Migrants exit a Border Patrol bus and prepare to be received by the Val Verde Humanitarian Coalition after crossing the Rio Grande on Wednesday
At her daily press briefing on Wednesday, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy confronted Psaki on the numbers - which he said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas didn't know.
'So who else can we ask?' Doocy asked.
When Psaki attempted to direct him back to DHS, an incredulous Doocy replied: 'He says he doesn't know.'
She replied: 'I am confident that he wanted to have the most up-to-date numbers and we will venture to get you those - I promise, this afternoon.'
Doocy told Sean Hannity on his 9-10pm show on Fox that Psaki was yet to provide the figures.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki told a Fox News reporter that he'll get updated numbers on the migrant crisis this afternoon
Peter Doocy grilled Psaki on the Biden administration's perceived inaction on immigration reform
Mayorkas, meanwhile, was at the Capitol on Wednesday for his second day of back-to-back Congressional hearings.
Republican Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez asked Mayorkas today about how many of the migrants apprehended at the border this year were detained, returned or 'dispersed.'
'I would be pleased to provide you with specific data subsequent to this hearing, congressman,' Mayorkas answered.
Gimenez accused Mayorkas of being unprepared for the hearing, to which the DHS chief snapped about his long work hours.
'I work 18 hours a day, OK? So when I returned from yesterday's hearing, I actually focused on mission. We will get that data, both to the senator who posed it yesterday and to you, congressman, today,' he said.
It follows on from Tuesday's hearing before the Senate when Mayorkas still could not provide migrant data.
'I want some numbers here,' said Ron Johnson, a Republican senator for Wisconsin.
'Of the 1.3 million people that we've apprehended, how many people have been returned? How many people are being detained? How many people have been dispersed to all points around America?'
DHS Secretary Mayorkas was grilled by lawmakers in back-to-back hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday. He was at the border on Monday
'Senator, I would be pleased to provide you with that data — ' Mayorkas said before he was cut off.
'I want them now,' Johnson demanded. 'Why don't you have that information now?'
'Senator, I do not have that data before me,' Mayorkas replied.
'Why not? Why don't you have that basic information?' the senator asked.
'Senator, I want to be accurate,' Mayorkas said.
On Wednesday, Johnson wrote to Mayorkas formally requesting the figures.
'At yesterday's Senate hearing you failed to answer my questions about basic information on apprehensions at the U.S. border,' he wrote.
'Of the approximately 1.3 million apprehensions, how many people have been returned, how many people have been detained, and how many people have been dispersed into the U.S.?'
Johnson said he would like a response within a week.
The secretary revealed Tuesday that around 5,000 migrants have been removed from the encampment surrounding the Del Rio International Bridge, as the Department of Homeland Security launches a probe into agents on horseback using what appeared to be whips against the mostly Haitian migrants.
'How many migrants have crossed into the United States in Del Rio over the past week?' Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley asked Mayorkas.
'So last week, I think the high point was 13,000-15,000 – it is now well below 10,000. We continue to move individuals from Del Rio to other processing centers to facilitate their repatriation,' the DHS secretary responded.
'We have increased the number of repatriation flights to Haiti and to other countries,' Mayorkas added.
It was revealed this week DHS is aiming to send out several deportation flights per day.
Migrants stand in line while awaiting transport out of a border makeshift camp along the International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas on September 22
A photo from September 22 shows migrants being routed out of a makeshift border camp after being processed by US officials. The White House has pledged to deport most of the migrants back to Haiti under Title 42, but reports indicate that's not the case for some being released
U.S. Border Patrol agents ride near a migrant camp in Del Rio, Texas on September 22
