Protesters criticized Vice President Kamala Harris at the southern U.S. border this week as she made her first, long-delayed trip there as the Biden administration’s pointwoman for addressing the illegal immigration crisis.
Read MoreTag: southern U.S. border
More Than 178,000 Illegally Crossed Southern U.S. Border in April, a Two-Decade High
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported Tuesday that 178,622 people attempted to illegally enter America’s southern border in April, a two-decade high.
Officials said single adults comprised a majority of encounters.
Read MoreDHS Chief Mayorkas Refuses to Call Border Surge a ‘Crisis’
Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary for homeland security, refused to call the situation at the southern U.S. border a “crisis” during a House hearing on Wednesday, even though he acknowledged earlier this week that border apprehensions are on pace to reach levels not seen in 20 years.
“Mr. Ranking Member, I’m not spending any time on the language that we use,” Mayorkas told Republican Rep. John Katko during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing when asked if the surge should be characterized as a crisis.
Read MoreAnalysis: Why Are So Many Migrants Rushing to the Southern Border?
Changes in Mexican asylum laws and modifications to U.S immigration policy combined with exploitation by smugglers are causing an increase in migrants at the southern U.S. border seeking entry, according to reports.
The Biden administration suspended the ‘remain in Mexico’ program allowing some asylum seekers to enter the U.S. and ended a policy preventing unaccompanied minors from coming into the U.S., The Washington Post reported. Mexico implemented laws banning migrant families from returning if facilities are full and smugglers in Guatemala are exploiting people saying the administration is taking a softer approach towards asylum seekers.
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