PICTURED: Del Rio camp where 5,000 of 15,000 Haitian migrants remain but 3,000 ...

PICTURED: Del Rio camp where 5,000 of 15,000 Haitian migrants remain but 3,000 ...
PICTURED: Del Rio camp where 5,000 of 15,000 Haitian migrants remain but 3,000 ...

Aerial photos of the Haitian migrant in Del Rio along the Texas border taken less than a week apart show the drastic reduction in size. 

As recently as this weekend, there were about 15,000 Haitians in Del Rio hoping to get asylum in the United States after they fled their country that has been torn apart by political turmoil following the Haitian president's assassination and an earthquake that killed at least 2,200.  

On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on CNN that as many as 2,000 Haitians had been released into the US pending hearings - but failed to identify where the remaining 3,000 are.  

The revelation came after the DHS revealed earlier in the day on Thursday that of the 15,000 total; 1,401 were sent back to Haiti on 12 flights, 3,206 remain in custody, and 5,000 are still camped out beneath the International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas. 

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There were about 15,000 Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas over the weekend
There are now about 5,000, as of Thursday, with about 2,000 released into the U.S. pending hearings. But 3,000 are unaccounted for.

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There were about 15,000 Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas over the weekend (left0. That number was done to about 5,000 on Thursday (right)

Haitian migrants take shelter along the Del Rio International Bridge at sunset as they await to be processed after crossing the Rio Grande river into the U.S. from Ciudad Acuna in Del Rio, Texas on September 19

Haitian migrants take shelter along the Del Rio International Bridge at sunset as they await to be processed after crossing the Rio Grande river into the U.S. from Ciudad Acuna in Del Rio, Texas on September 19

Mayorkas was asked repeatedly about how many Haitians have been released into the US pending the outcome of their immigration proceedings – and repeatedly declined to provide a specific numerical figure. 

'We believe it is a very small percentage of the total that assembled in Del Rio Texas, and that will be removed,' Mayorkas responded, on a day when the US special envoy for Haiti resigned in protest of US policy on deportations.

Rep. Tony Gonzales - a Texas Republican who whose district encompasses Del Rio - ripped Mayorkas and said he was trying to ‘bulls**t’ him. 

'No, don’t tell me, "Everything’s under control." It’s not under control,' Gonzales told the Washington Examiner

'You can bulls**t somebody else, but you can’t bulls**t me,' he told The Washington Examiner. 'It was kind of like, dismissive a little bit, and that’s a problem, especially when you’re talking about national security. Like, there are no second chances. You have to get it right every single time, or it’s game over.'

Migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. cross the Rio Grande river into the U.S. after leaving a makeshift migrant camp

Migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. cross the Rio Grande river into the U.S. after leaving a makeshift migrant camp

Migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. cross the Rio Grande river into the U.S. after leaving makeshift migrant camp in Braulio Fernandez Ecological Park in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico on Thursday

Migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. cross the Rio Grande river into the U.S. after leaving makeshift migrant camp in Braulio Fernandez Ecological Park in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico on Thursday

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents on a boat rescue a Haitian migrant woman from the Rio Grande river at the Mex ico-US border near Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila state, Mexico on Thursday

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents on a boat rescue a Haitian migrant woman from the Rio Grande river at the Mex ico-US border near Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila state, Mexico on Thursday

Authorities expect the camp will be empty in about two days, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge who was not authorized to speak publicly. 

Homeland Security had planned to ramp up to seven daily flights but flew only three Wednesday and five Thursday because of issues with contractors and mechanical delays, the official told the Associated Press. 

Seven flights were scheduled to Haiti on Friday, six on Saturday and seven on Sunday. 

During Thursday evening's interview with CNN, interviewer Wolf Blitzer noted that about 15,000 Haitians had gathered and press Mayorkas to account for all 5,000. 

Mayorkas ran through the numbers, and Blitzer followed up with, 'What about the rest?'

DHS Secretary Mayorkas said Thursday that 10-15 percent of 15,000 Haitians gathered at the bridge in Del Rio, Texas have been released into the country pending their immigration hearings but failed to say where 3,000 unaccounted migrants are

DHS Secretary Mayorkas said Thursday that 10-15 percent of 15,000 Haitians gathered at the bridge in Del Rio, Texas have been released into the country pending their immigration hearings but failed to say where 3,000 unaccounted migrants are

'If it's 10 percent, or 15, I don't have the precise numbers,' Mayorkas responded. That would put the figure between 1,500 and 2,250 – although Mayorkas avoided specifics.  

'I assure you it's a minority of the individuals, for the reasons that I have articulated, and they are placed in immigration enforcement proceedings, where they are able, where they appear before a judge. And if in fact they make a valid claim to remain in the United States, then of course, we honor that and if not they are removed as well,' he continued. 

Mayorkas also addressed blistering criticism by pointing to Centers for Disease Control regulations under Title 42 – with removals pegged to the coronavirus crisis.  

'It's very important to underscore the fact that this is not a matter of immigration policy, but rather this is a matter of public health policy,' he said. 

'We are applying the law, pursuant to an order that the Centers for Disease Control, issued in light of the fact that this country and the world is in the midst of a pandemic

'We are exercising that authority as we are required to do to protect the health and well-being of the migrants themselves, our personnel, local communities and the American public.'

Mayorkas responded to the resignation letter put out by U.S. Special Envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote who left his job on Wednesday.

U.S. Special Envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote resigned on Wednesday, claiming: 'I will not be associated with the United States [sic] inhumane, counterproductive, decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti'

U.S. Special Envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote resigned on Wednesday, claiming: 'I will not be associated with the United States [sic] inhumane, counterproductive, decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti'

'What I what I wish the individual had done is stayed with the cause of addressing the needs of individuals, all throughout the Western Hemisphere and dedicating the resources and the talent and the energies of the men and women in the United States government to rebuild our humanitarian relief capabilities – just as we are doing now in the Biden-Harris administration.'     

The U.S. special envoy for Haiti resigned on Wednesday because he didn't want to be involved with the 'inhumane' deportation of Haitian migrants.

'I will not be associated with the United States [sic] inhumane, counterproductive, decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life,' Ambassador Daniel Foote wrote in his resignation letter, first shared by a PBS reporter on Twitter.

In the letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Foote said another reason for his resignation is that his recommendations to help Haiti have been 'ignored and dismissed'. 

'Our policy approach to Haiti remains deeply flawed,' Foote continued in his letter, 'and my recommendations have been ignored and dismissed, when not edited to project a narrative different from my own.' 

A State Department spokesperson accused Foote of 'mischaracterizing the circumstances of his resignation' and said some of his ideas were deemed 'harmful.'

'[A]ll proposals, including those led by Special Envoy Foote, were fully considered in a rigorous and transparent policy process,' a statement from the spokesperson reads. 'Some of those proposals were determined to be harmful to our commitment to the promotion of democracy in Haiti and were rejected during the policy process.'

'For him to to say that his proposals were ignored is simply false,' they added.

The statement claims: 'It is unfortunate that, instead of participating in a solutions-oriented policy process, Special Envoy Foote has both resigned and mischaracterized the circumstances of his resignation.'

Foote blamed Biden for making things worse in Haiti by backing the 'unelected' leader after the coup, claiming that 'picking the winner' will produce 'catastrophic results'.

'Last week, the U.S. and other embassies in Port-au-Prince issued another public statement of support for the unelected, de facto Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry as interim leader of Haiti, and have continued to tout his 'political agreement' over another broader, earlier accord shepherded by civil society,' he wrote.

Foote added: 'The hubris that makes us believe we should pick the winner – again – is impressive.'

'This cycle of international political interventions in Haiti has consistently produced catastrophic results,' he said. 'The negative impact to Haiti will have calamitous consequences not only in Haiti, but in the U.S. and our neighbors in the hemisphere.'

Migrants from Haiti wait in line on Thursday to board buses near the Del Rio International Bridge

Migrants from Haiti wait in line on Thursday to board buses near the Del Rio International Bridge

In Foote's resignation letter, he blamed the Biden administration for exacerbating the issues in Haiti, claiming his recommendations to help the country have been 'ignored and dismissed'

In Foote's resignation letter, he blamed the Biden administration for exacerbating the issues in Haiti, claiming his recommendations to help the country have been 'ignored and dismissed'

Reined in: Biden BANS mounted Border Patrol agents over migrant 'whipping' controversy

Jen Psaki revealed Thursday that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told civil rights leaders that his agency will not continue to allow agents to operate on horseback at the border in Del Rio.

'I can also convey to you that the secretary also conveyed to civil rights leaders earlier this morning that we would no longer be using horses in Del Rio,' Psaki said during her daily press briefing. 'So that is something – a policy change that has been made in response.'

'We feel those images are horrible and horrific,' she reiterated from her comments in previous days. 'There is an investigation the president certainly supports overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, which he has conveyed will happen quickly.'

The images in question emerged earlier this week with Border Patrol agents on horseback apparently using either the horses' reins or other lariats as whips when chasing after the mostly Haitian migrants.

Agents insist they were not using whips against the migrants, 15,000 of whom set up a makeshift camp underneath and around the Del Rio International Bridge over the last few weeks.

They have reasoned that they were only using the reins on horses or to ward off immigrants – but not to whip them.

This didn't stop the overwhelming outcry from progressive politicians and civil rights leaders. 

Representative Maxine Waters said on Wednesday that the actions portrayed in the images were 'worse than slavery'.

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The resignation comes as the U.S. migration crisis surged in the past few weeks when up to 15,000 mostly Haitian migrants set up an encampment near the Del Rio International Bridge in Texas.      

Jen Psaki revealed Thursday that Mayorkas told civil rights leaders that his agency will not continue to allow agents to operate on horseback at the border in Del Rio.

'I can also convey to you that the secretary also conveyed to civil rights leaders earlier this morning that we would no longer be using horses in Del Rio,' Psaki said during her daily press briefing. 'So that is something – a policy change that has been made in response.'

'We feel those images are horrible and horrific,' she reiterated from her comments in previous days. 'There is an investigation the president certainly supports overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, which he has conveyed will happen quickly.'

The images in question emerged earlier this week with Border Patrol agents on horseback allegedly using either the horses' reins or other lariats as whips when chasing after the mostly Haitian migrants.

People are fleeing Haiti and seeking refuge in America after a devastating earthquake and the assassination of their president, which has thrown the country into even more chaos.

Foote said that the deportation back to Haiti will only exacerbate the migration crisis at the southern border.

'The collapsed state is unable to provide security or basic services, and more refugees will further desperation and crime,' the now-former special envoy wrote in his resignation letter of Haiti. 'Surging migration at our borders will only grow as we add to Haiti's unacceptable misery.' 

Foote only served in his post for two months after becoming the U.S. Special Envoy for Haiti in July following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. In the role, Foote served as a member of President Joe Biden's delegation to Moïse's funeral.

Before taking on that role he previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Haiti and as the U.S. Ambassador to Zambia under President Donald Trump.

In November 2019, during his tenure in Zambia, Foote said he was 'horrified' after a judge in the very conservative society where homosexual acts are illegal sentence two men to 15 years in prison after they were caught having sex in 2017.

He received pushback from Zambia's President Edgar Lungu for trying to dictate policy and declared him a persona non grata – or an unacceptable or unwelcome person. 

Foote has served with the Department of State since 1998 and has held a litany of roles since then – including in the U.S. consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico; the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in Colombia; deputy chief of mission in both Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and chargé d'affaires in the Dominican Republic. 

While many migrants were rounded up and returned to Haiti from the U.S. in the last few days, many began crossing back into Mexico from the border town of Del Rio to avoid deportation to Haiti. 

Images began emerging on Sunday of Border Patrol agents and officers on horseback rounding up migrants and preventing them from returning to the makeshift camp near the Del Rio bridge.

Immediately, the images were slammed as 'inhumane' and 'horrific' after some accused the agents of using either the reins or a lariat as a whip on the migrants. Images show a rope-like tool being thrown in the direction of some migrants who were running from the officers.

Agents insist they were not using any whips on migrants, while Mayorkas says those pictured with the ropes have been reassigned to administrative duties pending a full investigation into the incident. 

Have 5,000 Haitians been released into US? Official figures show that 9,700 are being processed - but that does include immigrants simply let go from Texas border camp that is thought to have held 15,000 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released figures Thursday tracking the swell of Haitian migrants at the southern border, announcing that 12 flights had sent 1,401 back to Haiti, while 3,206 remained in custody. 

Still, 5,000 remained camped out beneath the International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas.    

Those 3,206 Haitian migrants have either been moved to custody under Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or to other sectors of the border to either be expelled or placed into removal proceedings. 

It's not clear how many of the other estimated 5,000 who were once at the camp have been released into the US and how many turned back around at the border of their own volition, nor is it clear how many of those in CBP custody will be released and how many will be expelled.  

A peak of 15,000 mostly Haitian migrants camped out under the Del Rio International Bridge in Texas and as of Tuesday, according to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, that number dropped to 10,000. 

This year alone, around 1.3 million migrants were apprehended by Customs and Border Protection, but it is still unclear what the fate of these illegal border jumpers is.  

At Psaki's daily press briefing on Wednesday, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy confronted her on the yet-to-be-released numbers after Mayorkas revealed during a Senate hearing on Tuesday that he did not know the figures.

'So who else can we ask?' Doocy asked.

When the press secretary attempted to direct him back to DHS, Doocy replied, 'He says he doesn't know.'

'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,' Psaki vowed.

In a follow-up question Doocy asked if the issue is that the administration doesn't know or if they don't want to reveal figures because 'a lot more people are being released into the U.S. than are being sent out.' 

'That is certainly not the issue,' Psaki said.

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Del Rio Border Patrol repeatedly asked for extra resources in June but were ignored

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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?'  

'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. 

Kamala Harris tells Mayorkas to order Border Patrol to treat migrants with 'dignity'

Kamala Harris demanded that Border Patrol agents treat the thousands of mostly Haitian migrants gathered in Del Rio, Texas with 'dignity' after images emerged of officers on horseback using what appeared to be a whip to wrangle the illegal border hoppers.

'Yesterday, Vice President Harris spoke to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to receive an update about his trip to Del Rio,' Harris' chief spokesperson Symone Sanders said in a statement on Wednesday.

'During that call, the Vice President raised her grave concerns about the mistreatment of Haitian migrants by border patrol agents on horses, and the need of all CBP agents to treat people with dignity, humanely and consistent with our laws and our values.'

However the VP failed to come up with a solution to the migrant crisis and simply heaped blame on overstretched Border Patrol agents. 

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Mayorkas also refused to say whether he felt he and the Biden administration bear any responsibility for the influx of Haitian migrants over the last few weeks or the broader border crisis in general. 

The DHS chief visited the border after increasing pressure to do so as images of mostly Haitian migrants in a tent city under the Del Rio bridge spurred accusations the Biden administration was enabling a humanitarian crisis.  

The White House is facing sharp

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