Tuesday 17 May 2022 09:43 PM Mayorkas visits the border as Biden waits to see if federal judge will block ... trends now
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Alejandro Mayorkas went to the southern border on Tuesday as the U.S. braces for a massive influx of migrants when Title 42 protections cease next week – pending any court action that may prevent the policy from ending.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary visited the areas within the Rio Grande Valley that are the most popular spots for migrants crossing into the U.S. and spoke with border officers, including U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz.
Mayorkas held a press conference at the border Tuesday afternoon where he noted that his trip Tuesday marks his tenth time to the border since becoming DHS secretary.
His visit comes just days before Title 42 is set to end, which internal estimates predict will lead to a tripling in migration. It also comes the morning after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released numbers for April encounters, which is the highest yet of Joe Biden's presidency.
'It is very important to note that while, of course, we are preparing for the end of Title 42 based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's decision that it will end on May 23, that does not mean that the border is open beginning May 23,' Mayorkas insisted.
'We continue to enforce the laws of this country,' he added. 'We continue to remove individuals who do not qualify for relief under the laws of this country.'
