The United States Supreme Court, on Tuesday, upheld the controversial Trump-era immigration policy called Title 42. This comes after the apex court halted its expiration which was due on December 21 in a 5-4 ruling.&nbsp;

The policy was implemented during former US President Donald Trump’s time in office, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to limit the movement and spread of disease across the US-Mexico border.&nbsp;

What happened in the recent ruling?

As mentioned earlier, the SCOTUS upheld the policy Title 42, as it is called, by Chief Justice John Roberts. This comes after the incumbent US President Joe Biden’s administration had appealed to end the pandemic-era restriction. The case will be argued in February 2023, meanwhile, the restriction will remain in place at least until a decision is made potentially&nbsp;by the end of June.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/title-42-us-supreme-court-keeps-controversial-trump-era-border-restriction-policy-in-place-547198">Title 42: US Supreme Court keeps controversial Trump-era border restriction policy in place</a>

The ruling also followed a stay order on Title 42 which was imposed last week and also comes amid the recent surge of migrants at the border&nbsp;with thousands of people entering the US. Furthermore, the apex court’s decision also said that they will hear oral arguments on the issue of whether states have the right to intervene in the upcoming legal battle for Title 42.&nbsp;

Arguing against the Covid-era restriction, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Ketanji Brown Jackson, wrote that even if states have the right to intervene and the restriction in question is lawfully adopted, the emergency based on which “those orders were premised has long since lapsed.”&nbsp;

They added, “the current border crisis is not a Covid crisis,” and that the “courts should not be in the business of perpetuating administrative edicts designed for one emergency only because elected officials have failed to address a different emergency. We are a court of law, not policymakers of last resort.”

Additionally, Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor also voted to deny the stay but&nbsp;did not sign a dissent, unlike the aforementioned justices. Meanwhile, White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said on Tuesday, that the Biden administration will comply with the order and prepare for the February review.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-supreme-court-rules-to-keep-title-42-in-place-547308">U.S. Supreme Court rules to keep Title 42 in place</a>

She added, “At the same time, we are advancing our preparations to manage the border in a secure, orderly, and humane way when Title 42 eventually lifts and will continue expanding legal pathways for immigration.” The press secretary also noted that Title 42 was a health measure and not an immigration enforcement measure, therefore, it should not be extended indefinitely.&nbsp;

What is Title 42?

Title 42 dates back to 1944 and is a public health law which grants emergency powers to US health officials to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and keep it outside the country. In this case, it included the Border Patrol turning away thousands of migrants&nbsp;at the southern US borders from entering, on the grounds that they could bring COVID-19 into the country.&nbsp;

In March 2020, the Trump administration implemented the law which had only been invoked one other time in American history, in 1929, during a meningitis outbreak when ships from China and the Philippines were barred from entering US ports.&nbsp;

The Trump administration's&nbsp;decision at the time was justified by saying that the order is designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through immigration detention facilities, where all migrants are typically briefly held before&nbsp;either being released or deported.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/migrants-at-us-mexico-border-brave-bitter-cold-title-42-restrictions-to-stay-or-go-546435">Migrants at US-Mexico border brave bitter cold; Title 42 restrictions to stay or go?</a>

Notably, the former US president and his administration who have been in favour of tightening restrictions along the border also claimed that for the first time they could use a public-health emergency order to turn away migrants.

“Every week, our border agents encounter thousands of unscreened, unvetted and unauthorised entries from dozens of countries. But now it’s with the national emergencies and all of the other things that we’ve declared, we can actually do something about it,” the now-former President had said at the time, reported the Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;

This also included those who are seeking asylum which under the country’s immigration law should typically invoke a process under which the migrant must be allowed to stay in the country long enough to plead their case. So far, the policy has been used 2.5 million times to expel migrants at&nbsp;the border, although this&nbsp;also accounts for people who repeatedly tried to enter the country.&nbsp;

Furthermore, while the Biden administration continued the policy many from his Democratic party had pushed the president to end these measures, while others, particularly in the border states said that the restriction should remain in place and that the US is not prepared to deal with the sudden influx of asylum-seekers.&nbsp; 
 
What has happened in the courts, so far?

Last year, a group representing immigrants were denied the right to seek asylum and they in turn filed a lawsuit to end the use of Title 42. Thus began the long court battle which could decide the fate of thousands at the country’s southern borders.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-stays-title-42-which-blocks-mexican-migrants-from-entering-the-country-544656">US Supreme Court stays 'Title 42' which blocks Mexican migrants from entering the country</a>

In April, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that they would lift Title 42 as vaccines and treatments were mitigating the pandemic situation in the country. However, the next month, a federal judge in Louisiana ruled in the favour of 19 Republican-led states which sought the continuation of the restriction till 2025 and kept the order in place. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Biden administration also attempted to end the policy, earlier this year, in May, by arguing that the policy is no longer justified on the grounds that it was implemented. However, before they could do so, a Louisiana federal judge blocked them and said they had not used the correct administrative procedure which required public notice and time to gather public comment to end the policy in place.&nbsp;

However, in November, Washington Judge Emmet Sullivan’s ruling rendered the decision moot, saying that the policy’s implementation must end on December 21. Meanwhile, a group of Republican-led states intervened and argued that the cancellation of Title 42 would cause “an enormous disaster” at the border and will cost the state law enforcement, education, and health care.&nbsp;

Therefore, the case reached the SCOTUS who last week put a stay on the order and temporarily continued the implementation of the restriction to thoroughly study each side’s argument. The decision, on Tuesday, extended this temporary stay indefinitely with the next hearing in February.&nbsp;

Which migrants are getting affected by Title 42?

Notably, not all asylum seekers are getting affected by the policy as the Biden administration does not enforce Title 42 with children travelling alone but only single adults and families. Furthermore, the enforcement also differs by nationality, affecting migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-judge-blocks-joe-bidens-plan-to-end-title-42-481121">US judge blocks Joe Biden's plan to end 'Title 42'</a>

Additionally, Mexico allows them to be returned from the US and last month also began accepting Venezuelans expelled from the American border due to Title 42 which led to a massive drop in the number of people from Venezuela applying for asylum. Meanwhile, countries like Cuba make it difficult for the US to get their country’s migrants back, causing their numbers to increase at the border.&nbsp; 
 
What would happen if Title 42 was no longer in effect?

If the restriction was to be lifted, border experts believe that there might be an influx of migrants and those who had been refused entry due to Title 42,&nbsp;will make another attempt to enter&nbsp;the US. However, the asylum-seekers will be interviewed by the border authorities and determine who has a credible threat of being persecuted in their home countries, but the process could take years till then they can stay in the country until a final decision is made.&nbsp;

What does the Biden administration plan to do about the sudden influx of migrants at the US borders?

Earlier this year, the border city of El Paso, Texas announced a seven-day emergency, which the city’s Mayor Oscar Leeser, a Democrat, said would help local authorities to deal with the influx of migrants sleeping on the streets. He also warned that the city is at capacity with more than 2,500 migrants arriving from Mexico each day.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/political-stunt-85-migrants-dropped-outside-vp-kamala-harris-house-amid-18-degree-temprature-546644">Political 'stunt': 85 migrants dropped outside VP Kamala Harris' house amid -18 degree temperature</a>

On Tuesday, in the aforementioned press briefing the White House press secretary said that the government is working to manage the border in a secure, orderly and humane manner when Title 42 is lifted.&nbsp;

“Today’s orders give Republicans in Congress plenty of time to move past and join their Democratic colleagues in solving the challenge at our border by passing comprehensive reform measures and delivering the additional funds for border security that President Biden has requested,” Jean-Pierre added.&nbsp;

This is in reference to the increase in funding the Biden administration has asked for the Department of Homeland Security which outlined a plan, in a statement, earlier this month, should Title 42 be lifted to tackle the issue in a safe and humane method. According to the government, it will help the department during the transition phase.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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The United States Supreme Court, on Tuesday, upheld the controversial Trump-era immigration policy called Title 42. This comes after the apex court halted its expiration which was due on December 21 in a 5-4 ruling.

The United States Supreme Court, on Tuesday, upheld the controversial Trump-era immigration policy called Title 42. This comes after the apex court halted its expiration which was due on December 21 in a 5-4 ruling. The policy was implemented during former US President Donald Trump’s time in office, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to limit the movement and spread of disease across the US-Mexico border. What happened in the recent ruling? As mentioned earlier, the SCOTUS upheld the policy Title 42, as it is called, by Chief Justice John Roberts. This comes after the incumbent US President Joe Biden’s administration had appealed to end the pandemic-era restriction. The case will be argued in February 2023, meanwhile, the restriction will remain in place at least until a decision is made potentially by the end of June. ALSO READ | Title 42: US Supreme Court keeps controversial Trump-era border restriction policy in place The ruling also followed a stay order on Title 42 which was imposed last week and also comes amid the recent surge of migrants at the border with thousands of people entering the US. Furthermore, the apex court’s decision also said that they will hear oral arguments on the issue of whether states have the right to intervene in the upcoming legal battle for Title 42. Arguing against the Covid-era restriction, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Ketanji Brown Jackson, wrote that even if states have the right to intervene and the restriction in question is lawfully adopted, the emergency based on which “those orders were premised has long since lapsed.” They added, “the current border crisis is not a Covid crisis,” and that the “courts should not be in the business of perpetuating administrative edicts designed for one emergency only because elected officials have failed to address a different emergency. We are a court of law, not policymakers of last resort.” Additionally, Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor also voted to deny the stay but did not sign a dissent, unlike the aforementioned justices. Meanwhile, White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said on Tuesday, that the Biden administration will comply with the order and prepare for the February review. ALSO WATCH | U.S. Supreme Court rules to keep Title 42 in place She added, “At the same time, we are advancing our preparations to manage the border in a secure, orderly, and humane way when Title 42 eventually lifts and will continue expanding legal pathways for immigration.” The press secretary also noted that Title 42 was a health measure and not an immigration enforcement measure, therefore, it should not be extended indefinitely. What is Title 42? Title 42 dates back to 1944 and is a public health law which grants emergency powers to US health officials to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and keep it outside the country. In this case, it included the Border Patrol turning away thousands of migrants at the southern US borders from entering, on the grounds that they could bring COVID-19 into the country. In March 2020, the Trump administration implemented the law which had only been invoked one other time in American history, in 1929, during a meningitis outbreak when ships from China and the Philippines were barred from entering US ports. The Trump administration's decision at the time was justified by saying that the order is designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through immigration detention facilities, where all migrants are typically briefly held before either being released or deported. ALSO WATCH | Migrants at US-Mexico border brave bitter cold; Title 42 restrictions to stay or go? Notably, the former US president and his administration who have been in favour of tightening restrictions along the border also claimed that for the first time they could use a public-health emergency order to turn away migrants. “Every week, our border agents encounter thousands of unscreened, unvetted and unauthorised entries from dozens of countries. But now it’s with the national emergencies and all of the other things that we’ve declared, we can actually do something about it,” the now-former President had said at the time, reported the Wall Street Journal. This also included those who are seeking asylum which under the country’s immigration law should typically invoke a process under which the migrant must be allowed to stay in the country long enough to plead their case. So far, the policy has been used 2.5 million times to expel migrants at the border, although this also accounts for people who repeatedly tried to enter the country. Furthermore, while the Biden administration continued the policy many from his Democratic party had pushed the president to end these measures, while others, particularly in the border states said that the restriction should remain in place and that the US is not prepared to deal with the sudden influx of asylum-seekers. What has happened in the courts, so far? Last year, a group representing immigrants were denied the right to seek asylum and they in turn filed a lawsuit to end the use of Title 42. Thus began the long court battle which could decide the fate of thousands at the country’s southern borders. ALSO READ | US Supreme Court stays 'Title 42' which blocks Mexican migrants from entering the country In April, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that they would lift Title 42 as vaccines and treatments were mitigating the pandemic situation in the country. However, the next month, a federal judge in Louisiana ruled in the favour of 19 Republican-led states which sought the continuation of the restriction till 2025 and kept the order in place. Meanwhile, the Biden administration also attempted to end the policy, earlier this year, in May, by arguing that the policy is no longer justified on the grounds that it was implemented. However, before they could do so, a Louisiana federal judge blocked them and said they had not used the correct administrative procedure which required public notice and time to gather public comment to end the policy in place. However, in November, Washington Judge Emmet Sullivan’s ruling rendered the decision moot, saying that the policy’s implementation must end on December 21. Meanwhile, a group of Republican-led states intervened and argued that the cancellation of Title 42 would cause “an enormous disaster” at the border and will cost the state law enforcement, education, and health care. Therefore, the case reached the SCOTUS who last week put a stay on the order and temporarily continued the implementation of the restriction to thoroughly study each side’s argument. The decision, on Tuesday, extended this temporary stay indefinitely with the next hearing in February. Which migrants are getting affected by Title 42? Notably, not all asylum seekers are getting affected by the policy as the Biden administration does not enforce Title 42 with children travelling alone but only single adults and families. Furthermore, the enforcement also differs by nationality, affecting migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador. ALSO WATCH | US judge blocks Joe Biden's plan to end 'Title 42' Additionally, Mexico allows them to be returned from the US and last month also began accepting Venezuelans expelled from the American border due to Title 42 which led to a massive drop in the number of people from Venezuela applying for asylum. Meanwhile, countries like Cuba make it difficult for the US to get their country’s migrants back, causing their numbers to increase at the border. What would happen if Title 42 was no longer in effect? If the restriction was to be lifted, border experts believe that there might be an influx of migrants and those who had been refused entry due to Title 42, will make another attempt to enter the US. However, the asylum-seekers will be interviewed by the border authorities and determine who has a credible threat of being persecuted in their home countries, but the process could take years till then they can stay in the country until a final decision is made. What does the Biden administration plan to do about the sudden influx of migrants at the US borders? Earlier this year, the border city of El Paso, Texas announced a seven-day emergency, which the city’s Mayor Oscar Leeser, a Democrat, said would help local authorities to deal with the influx of migrants sleeping on the streets. He also warned that the city is at capacity with more than 2,500 migrants arriving from Mexico each day. ALSO WATCH | Political 'stunt': 85 migrants dropped outside VP Kamala Harris' house amid -18 degree temperature On Tuesday, in the aforementioned press briefing the White House press secretary said that the government is working to manage the border in a secure, orderly and humane manner when Title 42 is lifted. “Today’s orders give Republicans in Congress plenty of time to move past and join their Democratic colleagues in solving the challenge at our border by passing comprehensive reform measures and delivering the additional funds for border security that President Biden has requested,” Jean-Pierre added. This is in reference to the increase in funding the Biden administration has asked for the Department of Homeland Security which outlined a plan, in a statement, earlier this month, should Title 42 be lifted to tackle the issue in a safe and humane method. According to the government, it will help the department during the transition phase. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: US Supreme Court upholds Trump-era border policy 'Title 42'. What does it mean?

In a setback for migrants seeking refuge in the United States, the US Supreme Court has voted to keep Title 42 in place. The Trump-era policy blocked thousands of people from crossing the US-Mexico border. Title 42 gives the US government power automatically expel undocumented migrants seeking entry inside the country.

US: Trump-era migrant policy to stay for now; top court rules to keep Title 42 in place

Authorities in the US state of Arizona have agreed to remove a wall made of shipping containers at the Mexican border. Watch this video to know more.

Arizona agrees to dismantle shipping container wall on Mexican border

The United States on Monday halted the scrapping of a key policy that has been in place since the last days of the Donald Trump administration and blocked the entry of migrants at the country's southwest border.

Chief Justice John Roberts placed an emergency stay on Title 42 amid concerns that its removal will cause an influx of undocumented migrants.

Watch |&nbsp;Scuffle between police and migrants near US-Mexico border, camps inhabited over by 600 Venezuelans

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The decision comes after a Washington appeals court last week ruled that there was no longer any justification for Title 42.

However, a last-minute petition by 20 mostly Republican states including Texas, Arizona, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia argued that ending the policy would create a gush of migrants mostly from Mexico and Latin Americas.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-mexico-reach-an-agreement-on-easing-venezuelan-migration-525219">US, Mexico reach an agreement to ease Venezuelan migration</a>

Citing a prediction by the Department of Homeland Security they said that the number of those seeking asylum could triple to 18,000 every day. The states have asked the court to take on the full case over the law.

The stay will remain in place as a Republican challenge moves forward, and "individuals who attempt to enter the United States unlawfully will continue to be expelled to Mexico."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-border-official-resigns-amid-rise-in-migrant-crossing-across-the-us-mexico-border-533690">US: Top border official resigns amid rise in migrants crossing the US-Mexico border</a>

Conservative lawmakers commended the stay and some even urged that Title 42 be turned into a codified law. The parties have been given 24 hours to respond. This means that Title 42 may end this week as planned or it may remain in place as the Supreme Court reviews the case more broadly.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United States on Monday halted the scrapping of a key policy that has been in place since the last days of the Donald Trump administration and blocked the entry of migrants at the country's southwest border.

The United States on Monday halted the scrapping of a key policy that has been in place since the last days of the Donald Trump administration and blocked the entry of migrants at the country's southwest border. Chief Justice John Roberts placed an emergency stay on Title 42 amid concerns that its removal will cause an influx of undocumented migrants. Watch | Scuffle between police and migrants near US-Mexico border, camps inhabited over by 600 Venezuelans The decision comes after a Washington appeals court last week ruled that there was no longer any justification for Title 42. However, a last-minute petition by 20 mostly Republican states including Texas, Arizona, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia argued that ending the policy would create a gush of migrants mostly from Mexico and Latin Americas. Also read | US, Mexico reach an agreement to ease Venezuelan migration Citing a prediction by the Department of Homeland Security they said that the number of those seeking asylum could triple to 18,000 every day. The states have asked the court to take on the full case over the law. The stay will remain in place as a Republican challenge moves forward, and "individuals who attempt to enter the United States unlawfully will continue to be expelled to Mexico." Also read | US: Top border official resigns amid rise in migrants crossing the US-Mexico border Conservative lawmakers commended the stay and some even urged that Title 42 be turned into a codified law. The parties have been given 24 hours to respond. This means that Title 42 may end this week as planned or it may remain in place as the Supreme Court reviews the case more broadly. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US Supreme Court stays 'Title 42' which blocks Mexican migrants from entering the country

The White House issued a&nbsp;statement on Saturday&nbsp;saying&nbsp;the United States President Joe Biden has accepted the resignation of the country’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner, Christopher Magnus. This comes a day after Magnus had spoken to the media about an official from the president’s administration allegedly asking him to resign or be fired.

Magnus claimed&nbsp;that he had been asked to step down or be fired from the role, by Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, who is also a Biden administration cabinet member who oversees the CBP, said a report by Reuters citing media reports. However, Magnus was adamant about not resigning, due to his commitment to the agency, the report added.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-mexico-reach-an-agreement-on-easing-venezuelan-migration-525219">US, Mexico reach an agreement to ease Venezuelan migration</a>

The now-former CBP commissioner’s resignation was effective immediately, in which he also wished Biden and his administration the best and thanked him for this “tremendous opportunity.” This comes as the Biden administration has witnessed a record number of migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border since the incumbent president took office in 2021.

ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/migrant-crisis-at-the-us-mexico-border-teens-employed-to-avoid-legal-actions-470494">Migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border: Teens employed to avoid legal actions</a>

In a statement, Mayorkas said that Deputy Commissioner Troy Miller will become the acting commissioner. Meanwhile, the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US president thanked Magnus for his nearly 40 years of service and “wishes him well”.&nbsp;

Magnus was confirmed by the US Senate last year at a time when the agency was dealing with arresting a record number of people at the border as well as amid the Covid-19 travel restrictions.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-2-million-migrants-apprehended-on-us-mexico-border-in-2021-says-us-report-447580">Nearly 2 million migrants apprehended on US-Mexico border in 2021, a record figure</a>

While the Biden administration has said that they&nbsp;aim&nbsp;to create a more organised and humane immigration system, they are still struggling&nbsp;with it, while the Republicans have repeatedly criticised their policies saying they are too lenient.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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The White House issued a statement on Saturday saying the United States President Joe Biden has accepted the resignation of the country’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner, Christopher Magnus.

The White House issued a statement on Saturday saying the United States President Joe Biden has accepted the resignation of the country’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner, Christopher Magnus. This comes a day after Magnus had spoken to the media about an official from the president’s administration allegedly asking him to resign or be fired. Magnus claimed that he had been asked to step down or be fired from the role, by Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, who is also a Biden administration cabinet member who oversees the CBP, said a report by Reuters citing media reports. However, Magnus was adamant about not resigning, due to his commitment to the agency, the report added. ALSO READ: US, Mexico reach an agreement to ease Venezuelan migration The now-former CBP commissioner’s resignation was effective immediately, in which he also wished Biden and his administration the best and thanked him for this “tremendous opportunity.” This comes as the Biden administration has witnessed a record number of migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border since the incumbent president took office in 2021. ALSO WATCH: Migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border: Teens employed to avoid legal actions In a statement, Mayorkas said that Deputy Commissioner Troy Miller will become the acting commissioner. Meanwhile, the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US president thanked Magnus for his nearly 40 years of service and “wishes him well”. Magnus was confirmed by the US Senate last year at a time when the agency was dealing with arresting a record number of people at the border as well as amid the Covid-19 travel restrictions. ALSO READ: Nearly 2 million migrants apprehended on US-Mexico border in 2021, a record figure While the Biden administration has said that they aim to create a more organised and humane immigration system, they are still struggling with it, while the Republicans have repeatedly criticised their policies saying they are too lenient. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Top border official resigns amid rise in migrants crossing the US-Mexico border

In a joint statement, the United States and Mexico indicated that they have reached an agreement on a plan to curb Venezuelan migration. This move is made in a bid to ease some of the pressure on the border that the two countries share which has recently witnessed an uptick in the number of migrants from the crisis-hit country, said reports.&nbsp;

The deal announced on Wednesday will allow the US to send some Venezuelan nationals to Mexico while granting humanitarian access to others. Starting October 12 several flights will be arranged for at least 24,000 migrants to arrive in Washington and stay for up to two years, said the statement.&nbsp;

“These actions make clear that there is a lawful and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and lawful entry is the only way…Those who attempt to cross the southern border of the United States illegally will be returned to Mexico and will be ineligible for this process in the future.” said the US secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, in a statement.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-court-orders-review-of-obama-era-dreamers-immigration-program-522978">US court orders review of Obama-era 'Dreamers' immigration programme</a>

According to reports, more than six million Venezuelans have fled their country in the last five years. This comes amid food, fuel and medicine shortages and increased violence and repression by the country’s President Nicolás Maduro and his government.&nbsp;

The agreement is based on the Uniting for Ukraine programme, under which following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, people from Kyiv could enter Washington by securing a sponsor. This sponsor could be a person or an organisation based in the US and back up their claim that they are in fact a part of the programme, said the media reports.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Mexico has agreed to “temporarily” allow some Venezuelan nationals to enter the country but did not specify the number. Reports suggest that officials in Mexico have argued that economic sanctions against Maduro’s government are fueling illegal immigration and should be eased.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-aims-to-rebuild-and-expand-legal-immigration-388574">Biden aims to rebuild and expand legal immigration</a>

Mexico’s government has also reportedly said that those seeking to apply for the US new programme must not enter through the US-Mexico border. Furthermore, at Mexico’s request Washington has also agreed to provide an additional 65,000 temporary visas to migrants for non-agricultural jobs out of which 20,000 will be allocated to Central Americans and Haitians, said a media report.&nbsp;

This comes ahead of the mid-term elections where US president Joe Biden’s government has struggled to deal with the increase in migrant detentions at the country’s southwest border, due to the uptick in people coming in from Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, said media reports. Meanwhile, his opposition, the Republican party has criticised his government for what they claim is Biden’s failure to secure the border.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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In a joint statement, the United States and Mexico indicated that they have reached an agreement on a plan to curb Venezuelan migration. This move is made in a bid to ease some of the pressure on the border that the two countries share which has recently witnessed an uptick in the number of migrants from the crisis-hit country, said reports.

In a joint statement, the United States and Mexico indicated that they have reached an agreement on a plan to curb Venezuelan migration. This move is made in a bid to ease some of the pressure on the border that the two countries share which has recently witnessed an uptick in the number of migrants from the crisis-hit country, said reports. The deal announced on Wednesday will allow the US to send some Venezuelan nationals to Mexico while granting humanitarian access to others. Starting October 12 several flights will be arranged for at least 24,000 migrants to arrive in Washington and stay for up to two years, said the statement. “These actions make clear that there is a lawful and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and lawful entry is the only way…Those who attempt to cross the southern border of the United States illegally will be returned to Mexico and will be ineligible for this process in the future.” said the US secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, in a statement. ALSO READ: US court orders review of Obama-era 'Dreamers' immigration programme According to reports, more than six million Venezuelans have fled their country in the last five years. This comes amid food, fuel and medicine shortages and increased violence and repression by the country’s President Nicolás Maduro and his government. The agreement is based on the Uniting for Ukraine programme, under which following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, people from Kyiv could enter Washington by securing a sponsor. This sponsor could be a person or an organisation based in the US and back up their claim that they are in fact a part of the programme, said the media reports. On the other hand, Mexico has agreed to “temporarily” allow some Venezuelan nationals to enter the country but did not specify the number. Reports suggest that officials in Mexico have argued that economic sanctions against Maduro’s government are fueling illegal immigration and should be eased. ALSO READ: Biden aims to rebuild and expand legal immigration Mexico’s government has also reportedly said that those seeking to apply for the US new programme must not enter through the US-Mexico border. Furthermore, at Mexico’s request Washington has also agreed to provide an additional 65,000 temporary visas to migrants for non-agricultural jobs out of which 20,000 will be allocated to Central Americans and Haitians, said a media report. This comes ahead of the mid-term elections where US president Joe Biden’s government has struggled to deal with the increase in migrant detentions at the country’s southwest border, due to the uptick in people coming in from Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, said media reports. Meanwhile, his opposition, the Republican party has criticised his government for what they claim is Biden’s failure to secure the border. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US, Mexico reach an agreement to ease Venezuelan migration

The United States authorities have launched an investigation after reports emerged that the turbans of Sikh asylum seekers were taken away forcefully after they were detained at the border.&nbsp;

As mentioned by BBC in a report, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said that nearly 50 migrants have had religious headgear taken away.&nbsp;

Those who follow the Sikh religion, commonly wear turbans, including women as Sikhism requires that men should wear turbans and not cut their hair. The turbans serve as a religious observance.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/miffed-china-shelves-bilateral-meeting-with-japan-after-g7-statement-on-taiwan-503600">Nancy Pelosi Taiwan trip: China scraps meet with Japan over G7 statement</a>&nbsp;

As quoted by BBC, the human rights advocates informed that seizing turbans "blatantly violates federal law". Such activities are inconsistent with the US Customs and Border Protection's non-discrimination policies.&nbsp;

ACLU wrote a letter to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Chris Magnus on 1 August. In the letter, it called the confiscations "ongoing, serious religious-freedom violations".&nbsp;

Vanessa Pineda, who is a lawyer for the ACLU of Arizona, told the BBC that no proper explanation has been given on how a turban could pose a security threat, raising cross-border security concerns.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-aid-worker-identifies-the-house-where-he-lived-in-and-al-qaeda-leader-zawahiri-was-killed-503590">US aid worker lived in same house where al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri was killed</a>&nbsp;

The report also quoted Pineda as saying that this particular situation is part of a bigger situation when the personal properties of migrants are being confiscated. There have been instances when personal property of migrants has been disposed of without explanation or replacement.&nbsp;

She said, "It's just not acceptable. They need to find another alternative and to stop this. It's dehumanising."&nbsp;

The border agency expects its staff to "treat all migrants we encounter with respect", the CBP's Magnus said in a statement as quoted by the Washington Post.&nbsp;

He statement said: "An internal investigation has been opened to address this matter."&nbsp;

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The United States authorities have launched an investigation after reports emerged that the turbans of Sikh asylum seekers were taken away forcefully after they were detained at the border.

The United States authorities have launched an investigation after reports emerged that the turbans of Sikh asylum seekers were taken away forcefully after they were detained at the border. As mentioned by BBC in a report, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said that nearly 50 migrants have had religious headgear taken away. Those who follow the Sikh religion, commonly wear turbans, including women as Sikhism requires that men should wear turbans and not cut their hair. The turbans serve as a religious observance. ALSO READ | Nancy Pelosi Taiwan trip: China scraps meet with Japan over G7 statement As quoted by BBC, the human rights advocates informed that seizing turbans "blatantly violates federal law". Such activities are inconsistent with the US Customs and Border Protection's non-discrimination policies. ACLU wrote a letter to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Chris Magnus on 1 August. In the letter, it called the confiscations "ongoing, serious religious-freedom violations". Vanessa Pineda, who is a lawyer for the ACLU of Arizona, told the BBC that no proper explanation has been given on how a turban could pose a security threat, raising cross-border security concerns. ALSO READ | US aid worker lived in same house where al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri was killed The report also quoted Pineda as saying that this particular situation is part of a bigger situation when the personal properties of migrants are being confiscated. There have been instances when personal property of migrants has been disposed of without explanation or replacement. She said, "It's just not acceptable. They need to find another alternative and to stop this. It's dehumanising." The border agency expects its staff to "treat all migrants we encounter with respect", the CBP's Magnus said in a statement as quoted by the Washington Post. He statement said: "An internal investigation has been opened to address this matter." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US probes claims that Sikh migrants' turbans confiscated at US-Mexico border

Homero Zamorano, the driver of the truck, in which 53 dead bodies were found in Texas, has said that he was not aware that the air condition of the vehicle had stopped working.

According to court documents, after the truck was found, the 45-year-old sent several text messages to alleged conspirator Christian Martínez. If found guilty of smuggling and conspiracy charges, both suspects face the death penalty.

Governor Greg Abbott had blamed US President Joe Biden for the deadliest human trafficking incident in the country's history.

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After surveillance photos showed Zamorano driving the truck past a US Border Patrol checkpoint in Laredo, he was arrested as he initially tried to pass himself off as one of the survivors of the accident.

In the accident, 27 Mexican citizens, as well as 14 Hondurans, seven Guatemalans, and two Salvadorans were involved.

Bexar County Sheriff's office posted on Facebook that "Preliminarily, it appears no individuals have suffered any major injuries."

Just a few miles north of where the first vehicle was found, the sheriff's office began investigating an apparently abandoned 18-wheel truck found in a residential area.

A record 239,000 undocumented migrants were detained crossing into the country from Mexico in May.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Homero Zamorano, the driver of the truck, in which 53 dead bodies were found in Texas, has said that he was not aware that the air condition of the vehicle had stopped working.

Homero Zamorano, the driver of the truck, in which 53 dead bodies were found in Texas, has said that he was not aware that the air condition of the vehicle had stopped working. According to court documents, after the truck was found, the 45-year-old sent several text messages to alleged conspirator Christian Martínez. If found guilty of smuggling and conspiracy charges, both suspects face the death penalty. Governor Greg Abbott had blamed US President Joe Biden for the deadliest human trafficking incident in the country's history. × After surveillance photos showed Zamorano driving the truck past a US Border Patrol checkpoint in Laredo, he was arrested as he initially tried to pass himself off as one of the survivors of the accident. In the accident, 27 Mexican citizens, as well as 14 Hondurans, seven Guatemalans, and two Salvadorans were involved. Bexar County Sheriff's office posted on Facebook that "Preliminarily, it appears no individuals have suffered any major injuries." Just a few miles north of where the first vehicle was found, the sheriff's office began investigating an apparently abandoned 18-wheel truck found in a residential area. A record 239,000 undocumented migrants were detained crossing into the country from Mexico in May. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Texas migrant deaths: Vehicle's driver claims he was not aware air condition was not working

Authorities in the United States revealed the finding of a massive drug smuggling tunnel from Mexico to a warehouse in an industrial area in the United States on Monday.

Authorities said the hidden corridor from Tijuana to San Diego had train and ventilation systems, electricity, and reinforced walls. It was discovered near the Otay Mesa border crossing in San Diego, in a region where more than a dozen other complex tunnels have been uncovered in the last two decades.

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Authorities in the United States claimed they didn't know how long the tunnel had been open or how many drugs had passed through unnoticed. In connection with the investigation, they seized 1,762 pounds of cocaine, 165 pounds of meth, and 3.5 pounds of heroin.

Watch |&nbsp;Colombia: Drug cartels found shipping weapons, officials say trade fueling violence

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Six individuals, ranging in age from 31 to 55, have been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. All of them live in Southern California.

The tunnel is located in one of the border's most heavily protected sections, demonstrating the limitations of border fortifications. While walls are effective against small, crudely dug tunnels known as "gopher holes," they are no match for more sophisticated underground pathways.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-successfully-tests-a-hypersonic-weapon-479714">United States successfully tests a hypersonic weapon</a>

The most recent route, discovered on Friday, was a third of a mile long and led to Tijuana. It was roughly six stories deep and 4 feet in diameter.

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Authorities in the United States revealed the finding of a massive drug smuggling tunnel from Mexico to a warehouse in an industrial area in the United States on Monday.

Authorities in the United States revealed the finding of a massive drug smuggling tunnel from Mexico to a warehouse in an industrial area in the United States on Monday. Authorities said the hidden corridor from Tijuana to San Diego had train and ventilation systems, electricity, and reinforced walls. It was discovered near the Otay Mesa border crossing in San Diego, in a region where more than a dozen other complex tunnels have been uncovered in the last two decades. Also read | US: Presidential commission votes to process all Green Card applications within 6 months Authorities in the United States claimed they didn't know how long the tunnel had been open or how many drugs had passed through unnoticed. In connection with the investigation, they seized 1,762 pounds of cocaine, 165 pounds of meth, and 3.5 pounds of heroin. Watch | Colombia: Drug cartels found shipping weapons, officials say trade fueling violence Six individuals, ranging in age from 31 to 55, have been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. All of them live in Southern California. The tunnel is located in one of the border's most heavily protected sections, demonstrating the limitations of border fortifications. While walls are effective against small, crudely dug tunnels known as "gopher holes," they are no match for more sophisticated underground pathways. Also read | United States successfully tests a hypersonic weapon The most recent route, discovered on Friday, was a third of a mile long and led to Tijuana. It was roughly six stories deep and 4 feet in diameter. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US authorities find drug smuggling tunnel with rail system at Mexico border

Vice President Kamala&nbsp;Harris&nbsp;visited a border patrol facility near the US-Mexico border on Friday, aiming to counter claims from Republicans she has been slow to visit the region as part of her role addressing the root causes of immigration.

The trip&nbsp;comes a few days before Donald Trump visits the border, on June 30, in a bid to contrast his tough stance on immigration with successor Biden's more humane approach.&nbsp;

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"The vice president's trip to Guatemala and Mexico earlier this year was about the root causes, and this border visit is about the effects," her spokesperson Symone Sanders, told reporters on Thursday. "Both trips will inform the administration's root causes strategy."

Harris&nbsp;was accompanied in El Paso by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin and Democratic Representative from Texas Veronica Escobar, who called the El Paso area the new "Ellis Island," a reference to the famed area in New York Harbor that processed millions of immigrants as they entered the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Hundreds of thousands of migrants, many fleeing poverty and violence in Central America, have attempted to cross into the United States in recent months, prompting scathing criticism from Republicans that President Joe Biden's more humane approach to immigration was provoking rather than preventing a crisis.

Those numbers were boosted by a coronavirus pandemic-related ban on seeking asylum, which encouraged repeated attempts to cross the border because getting caught carried no legal consequences.

Biden tasked&nbsp;Harris&nbsp;earlier this year with overseeing efforts to address what the administration describes as root causes of migration from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

The vice president traveled to Guatemala and Mexico in early June to address the issue, but caught flak from critics for comments that appeared to downplay the border crisis.&nbsp;

She was also criticized for not stopping at the border for a firsthand look at the situation during her international mission.

Harris&nbsp;continues to address the root causes of illegal immigration "and work in coordination to get the situation under control," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

"This trip to the border on Friday will be a part of this effort."

Harris advisers have been careful to emphasize that her main focus related to immigration is addressing the root causes of migration.

She has been seeking economic and humanitarian solutions to improve conditions for residents of Central and North American countries who flee to the US. Her aides framed her trip to the border as part of an effort to better understand how to solve the problem.

Vice President Kamala Harris visited a border patrol facility near the US-Mexico border on Friday, aiming to counter claims from Republicans she has been slow to visit the region as part of her role addressing the root causes of immigration.

Vice President Kamala Harris visited a border patrol facility near the US-Mexico border on Friday, aiming to counter claims from Republicans she has been slow to visit the region as part of her role addressing the root causes of immigration. The trip comes a few days before Donald Trump visits the border, on June 30, in a bid to contrast his tough stance on immigration with successor Biden's more humane approach. "The vice president's trip to Guatemala and Mexico earlier this year was about the root causes, and this border visit is about the effects," her spokesperson Symone Sanders, told reporters on Thursday. "Both trips will inform the administration's root causes strategy." Harris was accompanied in El Paso by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin and Democratic Representative from Texas Veronica Escobar, who called the El Paso area the new "Ellis Island," a reference to the famed area in New York Harbor that processed millions of immigrants as they entered the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Hundreds of thousands of migrants, many fleeing poverty and violence in Central America, have attempted to cross into the United States in recent months, prompting scathing criticism from Republicans that President Joe Biden's more humane approach to immigration was provoking rather than preventing a crisis. Those numbers were boosted by a coronavirus pandemic-related ban on seeking asylum, which encouraged repeated attempts to cross the border because getting caught carried no legal consequences. Biden tasked Harris earlier this year with overseeing efforts to address what the administration describes as root causes of migration from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The vice president traveled to Guatemala and Mexico in early June to address the issue, but caught flak from critics for comments that appeared to downplay the border crisis. She was also criticized for not stopping at the border for a firsthand look at the situation during her international mission. Harris continues to address the root causes of illegal immigration "and work in coordination to get the situation under control," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. "This trip to the border on Friday will be a part of this effort." Harris advisers have been careful to emphasize that her main focus related to immigration is addressing the root causes of migration. She has been seeking economic and humanitarian solutions to improve conditions for residents of Central and North American countries who flee to the US. Her aides framed her trip to the border as part of an effort to better understand how to solve the problem.

US Vice President Kamala Harris visits US-Mexico border after facing criticism for absence

Mexico has reportedly doubled the detention of migrants after deploying 10,000 troops across the southern border, White House recently said.

Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, on Monday announced the move as US counts on local governments to slow down arrivals at the US border.

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Earlier in March, Mexico had began upping its enforcement operations to catch immigrants attempting to leave the country illegally towards the US. In addition, Reuters also reported that Mexico was working to better regulate the movement of people along the border with Guatemala.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-caught-a-huge-number-of-migrants-at-mexico-border-in-march-report-says-375108" hreflang="en">US caught a huge number of migrants at Mexico border in March, report says</a>

Mexico has deployed members of the National Guard along with soldiers from the immigrant office and the navy.

By March 22, Mexico claimed to have 9,000 troops across the border from its defence ministry, its navy and the National Guard stationed across northern and southern borders. A member of the Mexican National Guard had said that the force’s daily arrests had doubled over the last few weeks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/traffickers-are-dropping-children-over-us-mexico-border-wall-374707" hreflang="en">Traffickers are dropping children over US-Mexico border wall</a>

Before Joe Biden took office as US president in January, Guatemalan authorities had stopped a US-bound caravan of migrants. Honduras has done the same to tackle the issue.

White House aide Tyler Moran had said in March that the White House has agreements with Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala to deploy more troops along their borders.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mexico has reportedly doubled the detention of migrants after deploying 10,000 troops across the southern border, White House recently said. Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, on Monday announced the move as US counts on local governments to slow down arrivals at the US border.

Mexico has reportedly doubled the detention of migrants after deploying 10,000 troops across the southern border, White House recently said. Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, on Monday announced the move as US counts on local governments to slow down arrivals at the US border. Earlier in March, Mexico had began upping its enforcement operations to catch immigrants attempting to leave the country illegally towards the US. In addition, Reuters also reported that Mexico was working to better regulate the movement of people along the border with Guatemala. Also read: US caught a huge number of migrants at Mexico border in March, report says Mexico has deployed members of the National Guard along with soldiers from the immigrant office and the navy. By March 22, Mexico claimed to have 9,000 troops across the border from its defence ministry, its navy and the National Guard stationed across northern and southern borders. A member of the Mexican National Guard had said that the force’s daily arrests had doubled over the last few weeks. Also read: Traffickers are dropping children over US-Mexico border wall Before Joe Biden took office as US president in January, Guatemalan authorities had stopped a US-bound caravan of migrants. Honduras has done the same to tackle the issue. White House aide Tyler Moran had said in March that the White House has agreements with Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala to deploy more troops along their borders. (With inputs from agencies)

Mexican troops have doubled detention of migrants heading to US: White House

Republican senator Ted Cruz is once again making the headlines, and yet again it is not for a good cause. This time, it is his trip to the US-Mexico border.

In a wildlife style documentary, Cruz went to the US-Mexico border with hopes of capturing the experiences of people who are planning to cross borders.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/under-biden-democrats-are-poised-to-raise-taxes-on-business-and-the-rich-373883" hreflang="en">Under Biden, Democrats are poised to raise taxes on business and the rich</a>

Accompanied by professional photographers, he was spotted in a dark green fishing shirt and a baseball cap with a Texas flag, and hopes of capturing "live footage from the banks of the Rio Grande," he tweeted.

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Live footage from the banks of the Rio Grande.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BidenBorderCrisis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BidenBorderCrisis</a> <a href="https://t.co/aO4EyANrRQ">pic.twitter.com/aO4EyANrRQ</a>
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1375330432359804929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Cruz can be heard describing his dramatic experience of apparently spotting human traffickers and cartel members.

"On the other side of the river we have been listening to and seeing cartel members – human traffickers – right on the other side of the river waving flashlights, yelling and taunting Americans, taunting the border patrol," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexican-child-9-dies-trying-to-enter-us-border-patrol-373517" hreflang="en">Mexican child, 9, dies trying to enter US: Border patrol</a>

This was Cruz's attempt at disgracing Biden's policy for immigrants, which Republicans say has been a "crisis". However, residents in the Rio Grande Valley have not affirmed the existence f any such crisis yet.

Cruz also claimed that he and his accompanying friends from the Republican party were met with heckling cartel members, and also saw a dead body floating in the Rio Grande.&nbsp;

His "live footage" was met with hilarious replies from the Twitterati, who compared his footage to Jurassic Park movie scenes, and also called him out for his privilege.

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Ted Cruz and Susan Collins claim they were "heckled" by drug cartels at the Mexican border. Both agreed it brought back painful memories of their proms
— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulRudnickNY/status/1375565230642712576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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is this the part where the velociraptor comes out and eats him <a href="https://t.co/aNpvh1VuxE">https://t.co/aNpvh1VuxE</a>
— Nate Monroe (@NateMonroeTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateMonroeTU/status/1375596896094408705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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All that was missing was Ted Cruz yelling out "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanObeidallah/status/1375468507362648075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This button has done more work in 1 day than Ted Cruz has in 8 years as a senator. <a href="https://t.co/R6M4WimBKG">pic.twitter.com/R6M4WimBKG</a>
— Keaton Patti (@KeatonPatti) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeatonPatti/status/1375984651337097218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Ted Cruz is being heckled at the border and definitely not in a hotel in Cancun: <a href="https://t.co/bsEBHBChSl">pic.twitter.com/bsEBHBChSl</a>
— RJ Dralle (@rjdralle) <a href="https://twitter.com/rjdralle/status/1375514508387438594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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my audition to be in the cartel that heckled ted cruz <a href="https://t.co/wkfQhCFayO">pic.twitter.com/wkfQhCFayO</a>
— blaire erskine (@blaireerskine) <a href="https://twitter.com/blaireerskine/status/1375548899172188161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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my audition to be in the cartel that heckled ted cruz <a href="https://t.co/wkfQhCFayO">pic.twitter.com/wkfQhCFayO</a>
— blaire erskine (@blaireerskine) <a href="https://twitter.com/blaireerskine/status/1375548899172188161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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😂 <a href="https://t.co/8HliH2yas1">pic.twitter.com/8HliH2yas1</a>
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tedcruz</a> you still hiding in the weeds you dumb shit? <a href="https://t.co/9NBPl1mo7C">pic.twitter.com/9NBPl1mo7C</a>
— Mz. Chievous ™️ (@CCLcaribecrew) <a href="https://twitter.com/CCLcaribecrew/status/1375796597502705664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Republican senator Ted Cruz is once again making the headlines, and yet again it is not for a good cause. This time, it is his trip to the US-Mexico border. In a wildlife style documentary, Cruz went to the US-Mexico border with hopes of capturing the experiences of people who are planning to cross borders.

Republican senator Ted Cruz is once again making the headlines, and yet again it is not for a good cause. This time, it is his trip to the US-Mexico border. In a wildlife style documentary, Cruz went to the US-Mexico border with hopes of capturing the experiences of people who are planning to cross borders. Also read | Under Biden, Democrats are poised to raise taxes on business and the rich Accompanied by professional photographers, he was spotted in a dark green fishing shirt and a baseball cap with a Texas flag, and hopes of capturing "live footage from the banks of the Rio Grande," he tweeted. Live footage from the banks of the Rio Grande.#BidenBorderCrisis pic.twitter.com/aO4EyANrRQ — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 26, 2021 × Cruz can be heard describing his dramatic experience of apparently spotting human traffickers and cartel members. "On the other side of the river we have been listening to and seeing cartel members – human traffickers – right on the other side of the river waving flashlights, yelling and taunting Americans, taunting the border patrol," he said. Also read | Mexican child, 9, dies trying to enter US: Border patrol This was Cruz's attempt at disgracing Biden's policy for immigrants, which Republicans say has been a "crisis". However, residents in the Rio Grande Valley have not affirmed the existence f any such crisis yet. Cruz also claimed that he and his accompanying friends from the Republican party were met with heckling cartel members, and also saw a dead body floating in the Rio Grande. His "live footage" was met with hilarious replies from the Twitterati, who compared his footage to Jurassic Park movie scenes, and also called him out for his privilege. Ted Cruz and Susan Collins claim they were "heckled" by drug cartels at the Mexican border. Both agreed it brought back painful memories of their proms — Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) March 26, 2021 × is this the part where the velociraptor comes out and eats him https://t.co/aNpvh1VuxE — Nate Monroe (@NateMonroeTU) March 26, 2021 × All that was missing was Ted Cruz yelling out "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" — (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) March 26, 2021 × This button has done more work in 1 day than Ted Cruz has in 8 years as a senator. pic.twitter.com/R6M4WimBKG — Keaton Patti (@KeatonPatti) March 28, 2021 × Ted Cruz is being heckled at the border and definitely not in a hotel in Cancun: pic.twitter.com/bsEBHBChSl — RJ Dralle (@rjdralle) March 26, 2021 × my audition to be in the cartel that heckled ted cruz pic.twitter.com/wkfQhCFayO — blaire erskine (@blaireerskine) March 26, 2021 × my audition to be in the cartel that heckled ted cruz pic.twitter.com/wkfQhCFayO — blaire erskine (@blaireerskine) March 26, 2021 × 😂 pic.twitter.com/8HliH2yas1 — RKannie3 (@rosalita356) March 27, 2021 × .@tedcruz you still hiding in the weeds you dumb shit? pic.twitter.com/9NBPl1mo7C — Mz. Chievous ™️ (@CCLcaribecrew) March 27, 2021 ×

Is it not Cancun? Twitter asks after Ted Cruz posts documentary-style trip to US-Mexico border

US immigration officials said on Tuesday that arrests linked to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-taps-disaster-cyber-funds-to-cover-immigration-246134">US border with Mexico</a> rose 88 per cent in 2019 while adding that nearly half those detained last month were "children or families, many of them led by human-trafficking cartels".

"They are profiting on the backs of this vulnerable population, and that's why it's still a crisis," said Robert Perez, deputy commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection.

Explaining the figures, acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said the average "1,400 apprehensions a day. That's still at crisis levels."

The number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/i-feel-afraid-for-my-country-selena-gomez-on-immigration-crisis-in-united-states-253225">migrants apprehended</a> or turned away at the border actually fell in September to the lowest monthly total of the year, to 52,546, down 64 per cent from a peak in May, the immigration officials pointed out.

However, the combined total still rose 4 per cent over the same month compared to last year, and border arrests for the current fiscal ending in September reached an 11-year high.

The surge in arrests was mainly attributed to those coming from central&nbsp;American countries - &nbsp;Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.&nbsp;

Last year President Trump had declared "zero tolerance" policy towards immigration while urging the Congress to change the "ridiculous" laws, a move which was criticised by Democrats. Trump called for arresting anyone who comes into the country illegally.

"Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is continuing to collaborate with our foreign partners -&nbsp;particularly, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras -&nbsp;to address this as a regional crisis," Morgan said in a White House briefing.

Morgan and Perez confirmed they launched a pilot program in El Paso earlier this month, the Prompt Asylum Claim Review.

"The objective is within that same handful of days ... to get people through an immigration process as quickly as we possibly can, so that a judge, hopefully, makes a decision," Perez said.

Apart from the migrant restrictions, Morgan said 71 miles of new border barrier had been built while adding that a total of 450 miles would be completed by the end of 2020.

"It's a tough process," he said. "You have to obtain the land and land acquisition is a tough thing."

US immigration officials said on Tuesday that arrests linked to US border with Mexico rose 88 per cent in 2019 while adding that nearly half those detained last month were "children or families, many of them led by human-trafficking cartels".

US immigration officials said on Tuesday that arrests linked to US border with Mexico rose 88 per cent in 2019 while adding that nearly half those detained last month were "children or families, many of them led by human-trafficking cartels". "They are profiting on the backs of this vulnerable population, and that's why it's still a crisis," said Robert Perez, deputy commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection. Explaining the figures, acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said the average "1,400 apprehensions a day. That's still at crisis levels." The number of migrants apprehended or turned away at the border actually fell in September to the lowest monthly total of the year, to 52,546, down 64 per cent from a peak in May, the immigration officials pointed out. However, the combined total still rose 4 per cent over the same month compared to last year, and border arrests for the current fiscal ending in September reached an 11-year high. The surge in arrests was mainly attributed to those coming from central American countries - Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Last year President Trump had declared "zero tolerance" policy towards immigration while urging the Congress to change the "ridiculous" laws, a move which was criticised by Democrats. Trump called for arresting anyone who comes into the country illegally. "Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is continuing to collaborate with our foreign partners - particularly, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras - to address this as a regional crisis," Morgan said in a White House briefing. Morgan and Perez confirmed they launched a pilot program in El Paso earlier this month, the Prompt Asylum Claim Review. "The objective is within that same handful of days ... to get people through an immigration process as quickly as we possibly can, so that a judge, hopefully, makes a decision," Perez said. Apart from the migrant restrictions, Morgan said 71 miles of new border barrier had been built while adding that a total of 450 miles would be completed by the end of 2020. "It's a tough process," he said. "You have to obtain the land and land acquisition is a tough thing."

Immigration row: US-Mexico border arrests at 11-year high

Three Seesaws Have Been Placed At The U.S.-Mexico Border In Response To Trump's Border Wall Proposal Here's the other side of the immigration debate. Three seesaws have been placed at the U.S.-Mexico border in response to Trump's border wall proposal. Now immigration is country-dependent. Some countries are more welcoming of the legal migrants while others have a protectionist view. Palki with a wholistic view on the issue.

Gravitas: The immigration debate: seesaws placed at US-Mexico border

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-announces-controversial-asylum-deal-with-guatemala-238748">obstacle for asylum-seekers </a>on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States.

Attorney General William Barr issued a ruling that will set the standard for all immigration judges, using the same power his predecessors Jeff Sessions and Matthew Whitaker used to try to narrow the field of people potentially eligible for asylum.

The Trump administration is actively seeking to reduce the number of asylum cases, saying the system is overwhelmed by fraudulent claims. The number of people apprehended at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-use-disputed-funds-of-25-billion-for-border-wall-238745">US-Mexico border</a> has surged under Trump, with many Central Americans asking for refuge in the United States even though the vast majority of their claims are ultimately denied in court. 
&nbsp; 
Unlike the federal judiciary, US immigration courts fall under Justice Department jurisdiction, and the attorney general can intervene in cases to set national legal precedent. Trump`s attorneys general have been more active than previous administrations in this practice.&nbsp;

As part of a wider effort&nbsp;to clamp down on immigration, the Trump administration has taken a series of measures recently to restrict asylum claims, including by issuing a rule requiring asylum candidates first to seek safe haven in a third country.

A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the new rule last week by issuing a preliminary injunction pending trial. The government on Monday filed a motion asking the judge to suspend the injunction.

In the family ties case, known as "Matter of L-E-A," Barr overruled a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals, finding that the board improperly ruled a Mexican was eligible for asylum protection because the threats against him came about only after a drug cartel first threatened his father.&nbsp;

Asylum law requires that claims be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if they can show their persecution was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a "particular social group."

An immigration lawyer who represented L-E-A said immigration courts for decades have considered families to be a particular social group, "so suddenly reversing that trend is likely to affect thousands of cases," said Bradley Jenkins, a litigator for Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.

But Barr`s decision found that virtually every asylum-seeker is a member of a family and that, "There is no evidence that Congress intended the term `particular social group` to cast so wide a net."&nbsp;

Decisions like the one Barr issued Monday can ultimately be appealed to federal appellate courts. In December, a US judge struck down a previous Trump administration decision aimed at denying asylum to victims of gang or domestic violence.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another obstacle for asylum-seekers on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States.

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another obstacle for asylum-seekers on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States. Attorney General William Barr issued a ruling that will set the standard for all immigration judges, using the same power his predecessors Jeff Sessions and Matthew Whitaker used to try to narrow the field of people potentially eligible for asylum. The Trump administration is actively seeking to reduce the number of asylum cases, saying the system is overwhelmed by fraudulent claims. The number of people apprehended at the US-Mexico border has surged under Trump, with many Central Americans asking for refuge in the United States even though the vast majority of their claims are ultimately denied in court. Unlike the federal judiciary, US immigration courts fall under Justice Department jurisdiction, and the attorney general can intervene in cases to set national legal precedent. Trump`s attorneys general have been more active than previous administrations in this practice. As part of a wider effort to clamp down on immigration, the Trump administration has taken a series of measures recently to restrict asylum claims, including by issuing a rule requiring asylum candidates first to seek safe haven in a third country. A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the new rule last week by issuing a preliminary injunction pending trial. The government on Monday filed a motion asking the judge to suspend the injunction. In the family ties case, known as "Matter of L-E-A," Barr overruled a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals, finding that the board improperly ruled a Mexican was eligible for asylum protection because the threats against him came about only after a drug cartel first threatened his father. Asylum law requires that claims be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if they can show their persecution was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a "particular social group." An immigration lawyer who represented L-E-A said immigration courts for decades have considered families to be a particular social group, "so suddenly reversing that trend is likely to affect thousands of cases," said Bradley Jenkins, a litigator for Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. But Barr`s decision found that virtually every asylum-seeker is a member of a family and that, "There is no evidence that Congress intended the term `particular social group` to cast so wide a net." Decisions like the one Barr issued Monday can ultimately be appealed to federal appellate courts. In December, a US judge struck down a previous Trump administration decision aimed at denying asylum to victims of gang or domestic violence.

Trump administration enacts another obstacle to asylum cases

US President Donald Trump hit out Saturday at a prominent Congressman who's been a strong critic of Trump's handling of the migration crisis on the US-Mexico border. In a series of tweets, the president described Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat, and the House Oversight Chairman, as a "brutal bully".

Trump lashes out at Cummings over border criticism

US President Donald Trump defended Sunday his latest attack on a prominent African-American lawmaker in comments that drew more accusations of racism.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Trump took aim at Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings -- a high-profile critic of Trump's administration whose district covers much of the majority-black city of Baltimore, Maryland.

"Cumming (sic) District is a disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess," the president wrote, calling it "the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States."

"No human being would want to live there," he said, in an attack ostensibly provoked by Cummings' criticism of the harsh conditions facing would-be asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border.

Trump's comments triggered a torrent of criticism and he defended them on Sunday in another burst of tweets.

"There is nothing wrong with bringing out the very obvious fact that Congressman Elijah Cummings has done a very poor job for his district and the City of Baltimore," Trump said, without adding anything to back up his argument.

"Just take a look, the facts speak far louder than words! The Democrats always play the Race Card, when in fact they have done so little for our Nation's great African American people," Trump wrote.

"Now, the lowest unemployment in US&nbsp;history, and only getting better. Elijah Cummings has failed badly!"

Saturday's diatribe ignited a storm of criticism less than two weeks after the House of Representatives condemned Trump for "racist" comments targeting four first-term Democratic congresswomen who are from ethnic minorities.

The top Democrat in Congress, Nancy Pelosi, on Saturday accused Trump of a "racist" attack on a "champion... of civil rights and economic justice, a beloved leader in Baltimore, and deeply valued colleague."&nbsp;

"We all reject racist attacks against him," wrote Pelosi -- who was born in Baltimore and whose father served as mayor of the city.&nbsp;

Former vice president Joe Biden -- the Democratic frontrunner to challenge Trump in 2020 -- called out the president directly on Twitter.

"It is despicable for you to attack him and the people of Baltimore this way," Biden wrote. "Once again you have proved yourself unfit to hold the office. A President is supposed to lift this nation up. Not tear it down."

In another tweet on Sunday, Trump said Pelosi is doing a bad job representing her district in California.

"Speaking of failing badly, has anyone seen what is happening to Nancy Pelosi's district in San Francisco. It is not even recognisable lately. Something must be done before it is too late," he wrote.

US President Donald Trump defended Sunday his latest attack on a prominent African-American lawmaker in comments that drew more accusations of racism. In a series of tweets on Saturday, Trump took aim at Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings -- a high-profile critic of Trump's administration whose district covers much of the majority-black city of Baltimore, Maryland.

US President Donald Trump defended Sunday his latest attack on a prominent African-American lawmaker in comments that drew more accusations of racism. In a series of tweets on Saturday, Trump took aim at Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings -- a high-profile critic of Trump's administration whose district covers much of the majority-black city of Baltimore, Maryland. "Cumming (sic) District is a disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess," the president wrote, calling it "the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States." "No human being would want to live there," he said, in an attack ostensibly provoked by Cummings' criticism of the harsh conditions facing would-be asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border. Trump's comments triggered a torrent of criticism and he defended them on Sunday in another burst of tweets. "There is nothing wrong with bringing out the very obvious fact that Congressman Elijah Cummings has done a very poor job for his district and the City of Baltimore," Trump said, without adding anything to back up his argument. "Just take a look, the facts speak far louder than words! The Democrats always play the Race Card, when in fact they have done so little for our Nation's great African American people," Trump wrote. "Now, the lowest unemployment in US history, and only getting better. Elijah Cummings has failed badly!" Saturday's diatribe ignited a storm of criticism less than two weeks after the House of Representatives condemned Trump for "racist" comments targeting four first-term Democratic congresswomen who are from ethnic minorities. The top Democrat in Congress, Nancy Pelosi, on Saturday accused Trump of a "racist" attack on a "champion... of civil rights and economic justice, a beloved leader in Baltimore, and deeply valued colleague." "We all reject racist attacks against him," wrote Pelosi -- who was born in Baltimore and whose father served as mayor of the city. Former vice president Joe Biden -- the Democratic frontrunner to challenge Trump in 2020 -- called out the president directly on Twitter. "It is despicable for you to attack him and the people of Baltimore this way," Biden wrote. "Once again you have proved yourself unfit to hold the office. A President is supposed to lift this nation up. Not tear it down." In another tweet on Sunday, Trump said Pelosi is doing a bad job representing her district in California. "Speaking of failing badly, has anyone seen what is happening to Nancy Pelosi's district in San Francisco. It is not even recognisable lately. Something must be done before it is too late," he wrote.

Donald Trump defends attack on African-American US lawmaker Elijah Cummings

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, who is under pressure at home not to seal a migration deal with the United States, on Sunday called off White House talks with Donald Trump with just a day to spare, his office announced.

The meeting scheduled for Monday in Washington has been pushed back over "speculation" about the signing of a possible deal, the Guatemalan government said in a statement.

Such a deal would make Guatemala a "safe third country" -- and mean that it would be obliged to offer asylum to any migrants entering its territory on the way to the United States.

Many migrants from Honduras and El Salvador cross Guatemala to reach Mexico on their route to the US border.

The Guatemalan government had announced Morales' visit last week, saying it would touch on immigration and security issues, but never offered details about what Trump and Morales would discuss.

Guatemalan officials did acknowledge that talks on a "safe third country" agreement were underway, leading to swirling speculation.

Those opposed to such a deal say they don't want Guatemala to become a dumping ground for migrants heading to the United States, especially given that Guatemalans are often part of the group making the journey.

The country's constitutional court was expected on Sunday to consider three legal challenges over the deal, which has been rejected by the two candidates vying for Guatemala's presidency next month.

Centre-left former first lady Sandra Torres will face off against conservative candidate Alejandro Giammattei on August 11 for the right to succeed Morales in January.

In March, Trump's administration suspended aid to the "Northern Triangle" countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras after the Republican leader said they were doing nothing to stem the flow of migrants to the US.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, who is under pressure at home not to seal a migration deal with the United States, on Sunday called off White House talks with Donald Trump with just a day to spare, his office announced.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, who is under pressure at home not to seal a migration deal with the United States, on Sunday called off White House talks with Donald Trump with just a day to spare, his office announced. The meeting scheduled for Monday in Washington has been pushed back over "speculation" about the signing of a possible deal, the Guatemalan government said in a statement. Such a deal would make Guatemala a "safe third country" -- and mean that it would be obliged to offer asylum to any migrants entering its territory on the way to the United States. Many migrants from Honduras and El Salvador cross Guatemala to reach Mexico on their route to the US border. The Guatemalan government had announced Morales' visit last week, saying it would touch on immigration and security issues, but never offered details about what Trump and Morales would discuss. Guatemalan officials did acknowledge that talks on a "safe third country" agreement were underway, leading to swirling speculation. Those opposed to such a deal say they don't want Guatemala to become a dumping ground for migrants heading to the United States, especially given that Guatemalans are often part of the group making the journey. The country's constitutional court was expected on Sunday to consider three legal challenges over the deal, which has been rejected by the two candidates vying for Guatemala's presidency next month. Centre-left former first lady Sandra Torres will face off against conservative candidate Alejandro Giammattei on August 11 for the right to succeed Morales in January. In March, Trump's administration suspended aid to the "Northern Triangle" countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras after the Republican leader said they were doing nothing to stem the flow of migrants to the US.

Guatemala president Jimmy Morales calls off US meeting with Donald Trump

Vice President Mike Pence viewed an overcrowded, foul-smelling facility in Texas on Friday where nearly 400 men are detained after being accused of crossing the US border illegally.

Some 384 single men were corralled behind metal fences inside the sweltering facility in McAllen, according to a pool reporter on the scene. The men did not have mats or pillows and some were sleeping on concrete.

The cages were so crowded, according to the reporter, that it would have been impossible for all the men to lie down at the same time.

Some of the men said that they had been there for 40 days or longer, were hungry and wanted to brush their teeth. Some agents guarding the cages wore face masks.

Water was available outside the fences, the pool reporter said, citing agents who said the men had access to the water when journalists were not present.

After visiting the facility, Pence said at a news conference that he was not surprised by what he saw.

"I knew we'd see a system that was overwhelmed," Pence told reporters. "This is tough stuff."

A patrol agent, Michael Banks, said the men were allowed to brush their teeth once a day. "We currently have 88,000 toothbrushes," he said.

Many of the men had not showered for 10 to 20 days because the facility did not previously have showers, according to Banks, who said it now had a trailer shower. Banks said the longest any man had been at the facility was 32 days.

The men were given three hot meals a day from local restaurants but could not have cots for sleeping because there was not enough room for them.

Another 275 women were living in repurposed Army tents, he said.

Pence said the centre at McAllen was a "prime example" of why the United States must secure its borders.

"The facility is overcrowded and our system is overwhelmed. It is time for Democrats in Congress to step, do their jobs, and end this crisis," Pence wrote on Twitter.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, has made cracking down on illegal immigration a centrepiece of his administration, which is trying to deal with a surge of mostly Central American families crossing the US-Mexico border.

Pence also viewed a separate facility for families, divided into rooms to house women with children, men with children, unaccompanied minors and entire family units.

Inside, migrants lay on tinfoil-like blankets and some children watched television. Two of the children said they had walked for two to three months before arriving at the facility.

Vice President Mike Pence viewed an overcrowded, foul-smelling facility in Texas on Friday where nearly 400 men are detained after being accused of crossing the US border illegally.

Vice President Mike Pence viewed an overcrowded, foul-smelling facility in Texas on Friday where nearly 400 men are detained after being accused of crossing the US border illegally. Some 384 single men were corralled behind metal fences inside the sweltering facility in McAllen, according to a pool reporter on the scene. The men did not have mats or pillows and some were sleeping on concrete. The cages were so crowded, according to the reporter, that it would have been impossible for all the men to lie down at the same time. Some of the men said that they had been there for 40 days or longer, were hungry and wanted to brush their teeth. Some agents guarding the cages wore face masks. Water was available outside the fences, the pool reporter said, citing agents who said the men had access to the water when journalists were not present. After visiting the facility, Pence said at a news conference that he was not surprised by what he saw. "I knew we'd see a system that was overwhelmed," Pence told reporters. "This is tough stuff." A patrol agent, Michael Banks, said the men were allowed to brush their teeth once a day. "We currently have 88,000 toothbrushes," he said. Many of the men had not showered for 10 to 20 days because the facility did not previously have showers, according to Banks, who said it now had a trailer shower. Banks said the longest any man had been at the facility was 32 days. The men were given three hot meals a day from local restaurants but could not have cots for sleeping because there was not enough room for them. Another 275 women were living in repurposed Army tents, he said. Pence said the centre at McAllen was a "prime example" of why the United States must secure its borders. "The facility is overcrowded and our system is overwhelmed. It is time for Democrats in Congress to step, do their jobs, and end this crisis," Pence wrote on Twitter. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has made cracking down on illegal immigration a centrepiece of his administration, which is trying to deal with a surge of mostly Central American families crossing the US-Mexico border. Pence also viewed a separate facility for families, divided into rooms to house women with children, men with children, unaccompanied minors and entire family units. Inside, migrants lay on tinfoil-like blankets and some children watched television. Two of the children said they had walked for two to three months before arriving at the facility.

Mike Pence visits overcrowded, bad-smelling facility for detained migrants in Texas

Chasing The American Dream: A Dangerous Journey To The U.S. Hundreds of thousands of people make a gruelling journey across the U.S.-Mexico border. Many are caught on the border - and end up in detention centres. But many others do not even make it that far. Here's a report on the gruelling journey of illegal immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border

Gravitas: The Gruelling journey across The U.S-Mexico border

Migrants held at a border patrol station in Texas were being <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bodies-of-drowned-salvadoran-migrant-and-2-year-old-child-back-in-el-salvador-231939">kept in "horrifying" conditions</a> that included psychological abuse and being told to drink out of toilets, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said after a visit to the facility with other US&nbsp;lawmakers on Monday.

A delegation of lawmakers from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/thats-the-end-of-that-race-trump-knocks-democrats-over-healthcare-for-immigrants-231061">Congressional Hispanic Caucus</a> were touring the border patrol facilities following reports from a government watchdog that immigrants were being housed in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

First-term Democratic Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter after leaving the main border patrol station in El Paso that she had seen women in cells with no water who had been told to drink out of toilets.

"After I forced myself into a cell w/ women&amp;began speaking to them, one of them described their treatment at the hands of officers as "psychological warfare," she wrote.

"This has been horrifying so far."

Reuters could not independently confirm her account. US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which oversees Border Patrol, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on her statements.

Conditions at US&nbsp;facilities holding migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border have become a flashpoint in recent weeks after an internal government watchdog warned of "dangerous overcrowding" at the El Paso facility in May.

In June, immigration lawyers raised alarms over squalid conditions facing hundreds of children at another facility in Clint, Texas. The lawmakers visited both Texas facilities on Monday.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration centerpiece of his administration, but officials say a renewed crush of mostly Central Americans arriving at the border has strained resources.

The Border Patrol also came under fire on Monday following a report by the non-profit news site ProPublica that said offensive content had been posted on a private Facebook group for current and former CBP officers. Posts included jokes about the deaths of migrants and sexually explicit comments referencing Ocasio-Cortez, a representative from New York, the news outlet reported.

After leaving the El Paso facility, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a tweet, "I see why CBP officers were being so physically &amp; sexually threatening towards me," an apparent reference to the Facebook group.

CBP condemned the Facebook group and acknowledged that it may include a number of the agency's employees.

Matthew Klein, Assistant Commissioner of CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility, called the social media activity "disturbing" and said it violated the agency's code of conduct. Klein said the matter had been referred to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general, which has jurisdiction over the CBP.

According to a screenshot published by ProPublica, the Facebook group had 9,500 members.

"These posts are completely inappropriate and contrary to the honour and integrity I see - and expect - from our agents day in and day out. Any employees found to have violated our standards of conduct will be held accountable," US&nbsp;Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost said in a statement.

Border Patrol agents have expressed their own concerns about conditions at facilities, according to documents published Monday from the DHS Inspector General that supported the watchdog's May report.

The documents revealed US&nbsp;agents feared riots by migrants being held in overcrowded and unsanitary cells and were "embarrassed" and "frustrated" by the detainees' conditions at El Paso.

Border Patrol agents "remained armed in the holding areas because of their concerns with the overcrowding that potentially could result in volatile situations," the documents revealed. Government inspectors saw migrants standing on toilets because there was not enough room in cells and other examples of unsanitary conditions leading to concerns about illness among the agents, the documents said.

CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the documents. The US&nbsp;government responded to the report in a letter to the watchdog included in the supporting documents. The situation "represents an acute and worsening crisis" and the surging numbers of migrants were overwhelming the agencies, the letter said.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said in a statement on Monday he would be travelling to El Salvador for a two-day visit to discuss "the root causes of irregular migration" and would meet with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Honduras.

He travelled to Guatemala last week for meetings that included discussions of a "third safe country" agreement, which could potentially limit who could apply for asylum in the United States.

Migrants held at a border patrol station in Texas were being kept in "horrifying" conditions that included psychological abuse and being told to drink out of toilets, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said after a visit to the facility with other US lawmakers on Monday.

Migrants held at a border patrol station in Texas were being kept in "horrifying" conditions that included psychological abuse and being told to drink out of toilets, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said after a visit to the facility with other US lawmakers on Monday. A delegation of lawmakers from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus were touring the border patrol facilities following reports from a government watchdog that immigrants were being housed in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. First-term Democratic Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter after leaving the main border patrol station in El Paso that she had seen women in cells with no water who had been told to drink out of toilets. "After I forced myself into a cell w/ women&began speaking to them, one of them described their treatment at the hands of officers as "psychological warfare," she wrote. "This has been horrifying so far." Reuters could not independently confirm her account. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which oversees Border Patrol, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on her statements. Conditions at US facilities holding migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border have become a flashpoint in recent weeks after an internal government watchdog warned of "dangerous overcrowding" at the El Paso facility in May. In June, immigration lawyers raised alarms over squalid conditions facing hundreds of children at another facility in Clint, Texas. The lawmakers visited both Texas facilities on Monday. US President Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration centerpiece of his administration, but officials say a renewed crush of mostly Central Americans arriving at the border has strained resources. The Border Patrol also came under fire on Monday following a report by the non-profit news site ProPublica that said offensive content had been posted on a private Facebook group for current and former CBP officers. Posts included jokes about the deaths of migrants and sexually explicit comments referencing Ocasio-Cortez, a representative from New York, the news outlet reported. After leaving the El Paso facility, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a tweet, "I see why CBP officers were being so physically & sexually threatening towards me," an apparent reference to the Facebook group. CBP condemned the Facebook group and acknowledged that it may include a number of the agency's employees. Matthew Klein, Assistant Commissioner of CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility, called the social media activity "disturbing" and said it violated the agency's code of conduct. Klein said the matter had been referred to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general, which has jurisdiction over the CBP. According to a screenshot published by ProPublica, the Facebook group had 9,500 members. "These posts are completely inappropriate and contrary to the honour and integrity I see - and expect - from our agents day in and day out. Any employees found to have violated our standards of conduct will be held accountable," US Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost said in a statement. Border Patrol agents have expressed their own concerns about conditions at facilities, according to documents published Monday from the DHS Inspector General that supported the watchdog's May report. The documents revealed US agents feared riots by migrants being held in overcrowded and unsanitary cells and were "embarrassed" and "frustrated" by the detainees' conditions at El Paso. Border Patrol agents "remained armed in the holding areas because of their concerns with the overcrowding that potentially could result in volatile situations," the documents revealed. Government inspectors saw migrants standing on toilets because there was not enough room in cells and other examples of unsanitary conditions leading to concerns about illness among the agents, the documents said. CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the documents. The US government responded to the report in a letter to the watchdog included in the supporting documents. The situation "represents an acute and worsening crisis" and the surging numbers of migrants were overwhelming the agencies, the letter said. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said in a statement on Monday he would be travelling to El Salvador for a two-day visit to discuss "the root causes of irregular migration" and would meet with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Honduras. He travelled to Guatemala last week for meetings that included discussions of a "third safe country" agreement, which could potentially limit who could apply for asylum in the United States.

Migrants held at Texas border kept in 'horrifying conditions': US lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The number of migrants taken into custody at the US-Mexico border is expected to drop by 25 per cent in June, in part due to Mexican efforts to stem the flow, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said Friday.

More than 144,000 undocumented migrants were seized at the southwestern US border in May, part of a surge in recent months.

But Kevin McAleenan, the acting DHS secretary, said steps were taken by Mexico -- under pressure from President Donald Trump -- to reduce the number of border-crossers appeared to be having an impact.

"These three weeks have demonstrated that they are, already," McAleenan told reporters. "That 25 per cent decrease in June is more than we've seen in past years."

McAleenan said the upcoming weeks will show exactly how effective the Mexican efforts have been.

"I think we're going to know, basically, by mid-July and certainly in the end of July if these efforts are sustained and having a significant impact," he said.

The acting DHS secretary said a reduction in the number of migrants crossing the border would have a positive impact on the conditions in which they are being held in the United States.

The DHS and Border Patrol have been under criticism lately over the conditions in which migrants, particularly children, are being held.

"I think we're going to see a continued reduction in the numbers which will alleviate some of the capacity constraints we've had," McAleenan said.

"That should present a much better situation at the border for the arriving migrants," he said.

Earlier this month, Trump rattled world markets and defied his advisers by threatening tariffs on all Mexican imports unless the country cracked down more on people pouring across the border into the United States.

Mexico avoided the duties after agreeing to bolster security on the border and expand its policy of taking back migrants, most of them from violence-riven Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, as the United States processes their asylum claims.

The number of migrants taken into custody at the US-Mexico border is expected to drop by 25 per cent in June, in part due to Mexican efforts to stem the flow, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said Friday.

The number of migrants taken into custody at the US-Mexico border is expected to drop by 25 per cent in June, in part due to Mexican efforts to stem the flow, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said Friday. More than 144,000 undocumented migrants were seized at the southwestern US border in May, part of a surge in recent months. But Kevin McAleenan, the acting DHS secretary, said steps were taken by Mexico -- under pressure from President Donald Trump -- to reduce the number of border-crossers appeared to be having an impact. "These three weeks have demonstrated that they are, already," McAleenan told reporters. "That 25 per cent decrease in June is more than we've seen in past years." McAleenan said the upcoming weeks will show exactly how effective the Mexican efforts have been. "I think we're going to know, basically, by mid-July and certainly in the end of July if these efforts are sustained and having a significant impact," he said. The acting DHS secretary said a reduction in the number of migrants crossing the border would have a positive impact on the conditions in which they are being held in the United States. The DHS and Border Patrol have been under criticism lately over the conditions in which migrants, particularly children, are being held. "I think we're going to see a continued reduction in the numbers which will alleviate some of the capacity constraints we've had," McAleenan said. "That should present a much better situation at the border for the arriving migrants," he said. Earlier this month, Trump rattled world markets and defied his advisers by threatening tariffs on all Mexican imports unless the country cracked down more on people pouring across the border into the United States. Mexico avoided the duties after agreeing to bolster security on the border and expand its policy of taking back migrants, most of them from violence-riven Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, as the United States processes their asylum claims.

US expects 25% drop in arrests on Mexico border in June

The acting head of the US Customs and Border Protection agency announced his resignation on Tuesday amid a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrants-describe-overcrowded-mexican-detention-centers-as-trump-ratchets-up-pressure-229762">public outcry over alarming detention conditions</a> of migrant children in Texas.

John Sanders, appointed to the post just two months ago, said in a letter obtained by several US media outlets that he planned to step down as acting CBP commissioner on July 5.

Sanders' departure coincides with the revelation of unsanitary detention conditions for children at an overcrowded Border Patrol facility in Clint, Texas, a sign of the increasing strain on resources due to soaring numbers of arrests at the US-Mexico border.

The conditions at the centre in Clint were described by a team of lawyers, doctors and others who visited the facility about 20 miles (30 kilometres) southeast of El Paso.

Nearly 250 children were transferred out of Clint on Monday but a CBP official said Tuesday that some 100 were being sent back there.

"The three-year-old before me had matted hair, a hacking cough, muddy pants, and eyes that fluttered closed with fatigue," wrote Clara Long, a researcher with Human Rights Watch who accompanied the team.

"His only caretaker for the last three weeks in a United States Border Patrol chain-link cage and then a cell... his 11-year old brother," Long said.

"Children at Clint told us they don't have regular access to showers or clean clothes, with some saying they hadn't been allowed to bathe over periods of weeks and don't have regular access to soap," she said.

'Untenable position'

Sanders has led CBP since April, when President Donald Trump tapped CBP chief Kevin McAleenan to replace Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

In a message to staff, Sanders did not give a specific reason for quitting and officials told The Washington Post and The New York Times it was not clear if his resignation was directly related to the handling of underage migrants at the border.

Trump told reporters Tuesday he did not ask Sanders to step down but "knew there were going to be changed there."

According to the Post, Trump plans to name Mark Morgan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to replace Sanders.

In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Morgan said he does not believe there is a "systemic problem" at detention facilities.

"I just don't agree that it's egregious conditions, like a systemic problem," Morgan said. "Are there issues that we can improve and get better? Absolutely."

US law requires unaccompanied minors to be returned to their parents or transferred to Health and Human Services facilities within 72 hours.

But many of the children held by the Border Patrol in Clint had been there for three or four weeks, according to the team which visited the facility on June 17.

"The Border Patrol claims that high numbers of border arrivals are causing these delays as they wait for space to open up in the somewhat more child-friendly detention centers and shelters," said HRW's Long.

Arrivals of undocumented migrants at the southern US border have surged in recent months, with 144,000 taken into custody in May alone.

"Everybody understands it is not the Border Patrol's job to take care of children," said Warren Binford, a Willamette University law professor who visited the Clint facility.

"They are as upset as we are that these children are being put into their care because they don't have the ability to care for them," Binford said on MSNBC.

"These children need to be with their families."

'Form of slavery'

Trump, asked about conditions at the detention centres, said he was "very concerned" and urged Democrats to approve $4.5 billion in emergency humanitarian funding for the southwest border.

He said "bad people" were using children to take advantage of lax US immigration laws. "It's a form of slavery what they're doing to young children," he said.

Trump also said Mexico "for the first time in 50 years is helping us" prevent border-crossing -- after he threatened steep tariffs on Mexican goods unless it did more to slow migration.

Following a week of tense negotiations, Mexico agreed to reinforce its southern border with 6,000 National Guardsmen and expand its policy of taking back migrants while the US processes their asylum claims. Mexico has also deployed 15,000 troops to the US border.

"They've done a great job," said Trump. "Hopefully they can keep it up."

The acting head of the US Customs and Border Protection agency announced his resignation on Tuesday amid a public outcry over alarming detention conditions of migrant children in Texas.

The acting head of the US Customs and Border Protection agency announced his resignation on Tuesday amid a public outcry over alarming detention conditions of migrant children in Texas. John Sanders, appointed to the post just two months ago, said in a letter obtained by several US media outlets that he planned to step down as acting CBP commissioner on July 5. Sanders' departure coincides with the revelation of unsanitary detention conditions for children at an overcrowded Border Patrol facility in Clint, Texas, a sign of the increasing strain on resources due to soaring numbers of arrests at the US-Mexico border. The conditions at the centre in Clint were described by a team of lawyers, doctors and others who visited the facility about 20 miles (30 kilometres) southeast of El Paso. Nearly 250 children were transferred out of Clint on Monday but a CBP official said Tuesday that some 100 were being sent back there. "The three-year-old before me had matted hair, a hacking cough, muddy pants, and eyes that fluttered closed with fatigue," wrote Clara Long, a researcher with Human Rights Watch who accompanied the team. "His only caretaker for the last three weeks in a United States Border Patrol chain-link cage and then a cell... his 11-year old brother," Long said. "Children at Clint told us they don't have regular access to showers or clean clothes, with some saying they hadn't been allowed to bathe over periods of weeks and don't have regular access to soap," she said. 'Untenable position' Sanders has led CBP since April, when President Donald Trump tapped CBP chief Kevin McAleenan to replace Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. In a message to staff, Sanders did not give a specific reason for quitting and officials told The Washington Post and The New York Times it was not clear if his resignation was directly related to the handling of underage migrants at the border. Trump told reporters Tuesday he did not ask Sanders to step down but "knew there were going to be changed there." According to the Post, Trump plans to name Mark Morgan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to replace Sanders. In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Morgan said he does not believe there is a "systemic problem" at detention facilities. "I just don't agree that it's egregious conditions, like a systemic problem," Morgan said. "Are there issues that we can improve and get better? Absolutely." US law requires unaccompanied minors to be returned to their parents or transferred to Health and Human Services facilities within 72 hours. But many of the children held by the Border Patrol in Clint had been there for three or four weeks, according to the team which visited the facility on June 17. "The Border Patrol claims that high numbers of border arrivals are causing these delays as they wait for space to open up in the somewhat more child-friendly detention centers and shelters," said HRW's Long. Arrivals of undocumented migrants at the southern US border have surged in recent months, with 144,000 taken into custody in May alone. "Everybody understands it is not the Border Patrol's job to take care of children," said Warren Binford, a Willamette University law professor who visited the Clint facility. "They are as upset as we are that these children are being put into their care because they don't have the ability to care for them," Binford said on MSNBC. "These children need to be with their families." 'Form of slavery' Trump, asked about conditions at the detention centres, said he was "very concerned" and urged Democrats to approve $4.5 billion in emergency humanitarian funding for the southwest border. He said "bad people" were using children to take advantage of lax US immigration laws. "It's a form of slavery what they're doing to young children," he said. Trump also said Mexico "for the first time in 50 years is helping us" prevent border-crossing -- after he threatened steep tariffs on Mexican goods unless it did more to slow migration. Following a week of tense negotiations, Mexico agreed to reinforce its southern border with 6,000 National Guardsmen and expand its policy of taking back migrants while the US processes their asylum claims. Mexico has also deployed 15,000 troops to the US border. "They've done a great job," said Trump. "Hopefully they can keep it up."

US border chief John Sanders quits amid outcry over child detainees

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/factbox-clash-between-trump-us-house-democrats-shifts-into-courts-228730">US House Democrats</a> said they plan to pass a $4.5 billion aid package aimed at addressing the migrant surge along the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-closure-of-us-mexico-border-next-week-to-stem-asylum-surge-206626">US-Mexico border</a> later on Tuesday, citing an urgency to act following reports of poor conditions facing young children at overcrowded facilities.

"This week we have to solve the humanitarian crisis," Hakeem Jeffries, the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus chairman, told reporters, predicting that the funding package would pass the House with a "strong Democratic vote."

Lawmakers were rushing to add language before the vote to mandate better health and nutrition standards at border facilities.&nbsp;

That came after some liberal Democrats expressed alarm that not enough was being done to improve conditions at the border, where the number of migrants apprehended surged in May to the highest level since 2006.

Last week, the Associated Press reported on squalid conditions facing migrant children being detained by US authorities, including a lack of access to food, beds and hygiene products such as soap and toothpaste.

Republican US President Donald Trump, despite having requested the $4.5 billion border aid package, on Monday night threatened to veto the House bill, saying the provisions added by Democrats - who control the chamber - would make the country "less safe."

But Jeffries said he expected Trump to sign the bill into law despite his threat, citing the president's recent reversals on other issues such as tariffs.

"There is no decency to having these children subjected to these horrific conditions," Jeffries said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seeking to galvanize her caucus, told them the House would need a strong vote to prevail.

"A vote against this bill is a vote for Donald Trump and his inhumane, outside-the-circle of civilized attitude toward the children," she said at a closed-door Tuesday morning meeting, according to a senior Democratic aide.

Democratic leaders said they would add language to protect the health of migrants in the custody of US Border Patrol agents, including standards for medical care and nutrition.&nbsp;

The bill's language would also set a three-month limit for any unaccompanied child migrant to spend at an intake shelter unless notice is given.

It was unclear whether the changes would be enough for some Democrats who fear the Trump administration could use some of the money for other purposes, such as deportations of migrants.

Representative Ilhan Omar said she objected to $155 million in the bill that would go to US marshals, a law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice.

"There's no good outcome here," said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has compared the detention centres for undocumented immigrants at the border to "concentration camps."&nbsp;

She said she is worried over whether the funding will "go to the places that we need it to go."

The House legislation would also reinstate hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras that was cut off by the Trump administration.

The Republican-majority Senate was proceeding with its own, bipartisan, $4.6 billion versions of the legislation and was expected to vote soon.

US House Democrats said they plan to pass a $4.5 billion aid package aimed at addressing the migrant surge along the US-Mexico border later on Tuesday, citing an urgency to act following reports of poor conditions facing young children at overcrowded facilities.

US House Democrats said they plan to pass a $4.5 billion aid package aimed at addressing the migrant surge along the US-Mexico border later on Tuesday, citing an urgency to act following reports of poor conditions facing young children at overcrowded facilities. "This week we have to solve the humanitarian crisis," Hakeem Jeffries, the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus chairman, told reporters, predicting that the funding package would pass the House with a "strong Democratic vote." Lawmakers were rushing to add language before the vote to mandate better health and nutrition standards at border facilities. That came after some liberal Democrats expressed alarm that not enough was being done to improve conditions at the border, where the number of migrants apprehended surged in May to the highest level since 2006. Last week, the Associated Press reported on squalid conditions facing migrant children being detained by US authorities, including a lack of access to food, beds and hygiene products such as soap and toothpaste. Republican US President Donald Trump, despite having requested the $4.5 billion border aid package, on Monday night threatened to veto the House bill, saying the provisions added by Democrats - who control the chamber - would make the country "less safe." But Jeffries said he expected Trump to sign the bill into law despite his threat, citing the president's recent reversals on other issues such as tariffs. "There is no decency to having these children subjected to these horrific conditions," Jeffries said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seeking to galvanize her caucus, told them the House would need a strong vote to prevail. "A vote against this bill is a vote for Donald Trump and his inhumane, outside-the-circle of civilized attitude toward the children," she said at a closed-door Tuesday morning meeting, according to a senior Democratic aide. Democratic leaders said they would add language to protect the health of migrants in the custody of US Border Patrol agents, including standards for medical care and nutrition. The bill's language would also set a three-month limit for any unaccompanied child migrant to spend at an intake shelter unless notice is given. It was unclear whether the changes would be enough for some Democrats who fear the Trump administration could use some of the money for other purposes, such as deportations of migrants. Representative Ilhan Omar said she objected to $155 million in the bill that would go to US marshals, a law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice. "There's no good outcome here," said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has compared the detention centres for undocumented immigrants at the border to "concentration camps." She said she is worried over whether the funding will "go to the places that we need it to go." The House legislation would also reinstate hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras that was cut off by the Trump administration. The Republican-majority Senate was proceeding with its own, bipartisan, $4.6 billion versions of the legislation and was expected to vote soon.

United States House Democrats rush to pass border aid bill before July 4, Trump vows veto

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 20th, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 19th, 2019

By Savitri Arvey and Steph Leutert

Over the past three months, the number of Central Americans arriving at the US-Mexico border has jumped exponentially, and total border crossings have reached levels last seen in 2006.

Yet, while the number of families arriving between official border crossings has skyrocketed, the number of migrants seeking asylum at official border crossings has remained relatively constant, at around 4,200 per month.

It’s not that these families prefer to cross the Rio Grande or scale the border wall. Instead, our research shows that at least part of this pattern can be explained by a US policy that has left thousands of individuals waiting to request asylum in Mexican border cities since the summer of 2018.

A shift in US policy

In May 2018, US Customs and Border Protection officials began a practice known as metering across the southern border.

This means that officials are stationed at official ports of entry along the border to notify arriving asylum seekers that US&nbsp;border crossings are full due to “limited processing capacity” and they will have to wait in Mexico until space becomes available. Previously, officials processed all asylum seekers that showed up at crossings.

At the same time that the metering process began, these US&nbsp;officials started coordinating with Mexican officials to alert them of their capacity and how many asylum seekers the ports could accept per day.

As metering spread across the border, the number of asylum seekers in Mexican border cities increased. Yet it wasn’t clear exactly how many people were left waiting. When we started our research in November, no one had reported the numbers across the entire border or how the waitlists worked.

In December, we published a report with four colleagues that documented the spread of metering along the US-Mexico border and responses within Mexican border cities.

Soon after the report was published, new migration dynamics began to shift what metering looked like in these border cities, so we published an update in February and another in May.

These reports draw on dozens of interviews with Mexican government officials and civil society representatives, as well as in-person observations at ports of entry.

Our reports show that the number of people waiting in border cities to seek asylum at ports of entry has increased – from approximately 6,000 in November 2018, when the Honduran migrant caravan arrived in Tijuana, Baja California, to 19,000 in May 2019.

The increasing numbers have resulted in longer wait times along the entire border. In November 2018, most asylum seekers waited a few days or weeks for their turn on the list to request asylum at the port of entry. Now, asylum seekers wait one to two months in most cities for the chance to ask for asylum at a port of entry. In Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, they wait over four months. 
 
Waitlists

A growing numbers of Mexican border cities have developed waitlists to organize the lines of asylum seekers, coordinating with Customs and Border Protection officials on how many are accepted per day.

While all major border cities have waitlists, smaller cities now also have started their own waitlists. These lists are managed by a range of administrators, including Mexico’s National Migration Institute, state and municipal governments, civil society organizations and asylum seekers themselves.

The list logistics also vary. They may include writing name and nationality in a notebook; sending personal contact information through social media, such as a private Facebook group; or sending a Whatsapp note to the list officiator.

This lack of standardisation is not only confusing for asylum seekers, but can create nontransparent processes that foster corruption. For example, we and others have heard allegations of list administrators charging bribes to add asylum seekers to their list.

The increase in the number asylum seekers and longer wait times has put a stress on shelters in Mexican border cities, which all reported to us that they were over capacity.

As a result, asylum seekers rent hotel rooms and apartments or sleep on the streets. This increases their risks for being preyed upon by organised criminals or other opportunistic actors.

Creating new issues

The nonstandard waiting list process, long wait times and security threats in Mexican border cities have pushed some individuals to cross without authorization between US&nbsp;ports of entry to request asylum.

An October 2018 Department of Homeland Security report documented this trend, noting that metering “may have led asylum seekers at ports of entry to attempt illegal border crossings” after being turned away at ports of entry. It has also created confusion with the waitlists in Mexican border cities, as some asylum seekers do not show up for their turns.

We believe the challenges are likely to only worsen in the coming months. According to a June 7 agreement with Mexico, US&nbsp;authorities have promised to begin sending back more people to Mexican border cities under the Migrant Protection Protocols, a program that began in January to send asylum seekers to Mexico for the duration of their US asylum case proceedings.

With larger numbers of people waiting to seek asylum and others waiting during their asylum cases, Mexican border communities will likely continue to feel the strain.

 
(Savitri Arvey is Graduate Student Researcher at the Center for US-Mexican Studies, University of California San Diego; Steph Leutert is irector of the MDexico Security Initiative, University of Texas at Austin)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-asylum-seekers-left-waiting-at-the-us-mexico-border-118367">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Savitri Arvey and Steph Leutert Over the past three months, the number of Central Americans arriving at the US-Mexico border has jumped exponentially, and total border crossings have reached levels last seen in 2006.

By Savitri Arvey and Steph Leutert Over the past three months, the number of Central Americans arriving at the US-Mexico border has jumped exponentially, and total border crossings have reached levels last seen in 2006. Yet, while the number of families arriving between official border crossings has skyrocketed, the number of migrants seeking asylum at official border crossings has remained relatively constant, at around 4,200 per month. It’s not that these families prefer to cross the Rio Grande or scale the border wall. Instead, our research shows that at least part of this pattern can be explained by a US policy that has left thousands of individuals waiting to request asylum in Mexican border cities since the summer of 2018. A shift in US policy In May 2018, US Customs and Border Protection officials began a practice known as metering across the southern border. This means that officials are stationed at official ports of entry along the border to notify arriving asylum seekers that US border crossings are full due to “limited processing capacity” and they will have to wait in Mexico until space becomes available. Previously, officials processed all asylum seekers that showed up at crossings. At the same time that the metering process began, these US officials started coordinating with Mexican officials to alert them of their capacity and how many asylum seekers the ports could accept per day. As metering spread across the border, the number of asylum seekers in Mexican border cities increased. Yet it wasn’t clear exactly how many people were left waiting. When we started our research in November, no one had reported the numbers across the entire border or how the waitlists worked. In December, we published a report with four colleagues that documented the spread of metering along the US-Mexico border and responses within Mexican border cities. Soon after the report was published, new migration dynamics began to shift what metering looked like in these border cities, so we published an update in February and another in May. These reports draw on dozens of interviews with Mexican government officials and civil society representatives, as well as in-person observations at ports of entry. Our reports show that the number of people waiting in border cities to seek asylum at ports of entry has increased – from approximately 6,000 in November 2018, when the Honduran migrant caravan arrived in Tijuana, Baja California, to 19,000 in May 2019. The increasing numbers have resulted in longer wait times along the entire border. In November 2018, most asylum seekers waited a few days or weeks for their turn on the list to request asylum at the port of entry. Now, asylum seekers wait one to two months in most cities for the chance to ask for asylum at a port of entry. In Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, they wait over four months. Waitlists A growing numbers of Mexican border cities have developed waitlists to organize the lines of asylum seekers, coordinating with Customs and Border Protection officials on how many are accepted per day. While all major border cities have waitlists, smaller cities now also have started their own waitlists. These lists are managed by a range of administrators, including Mexico’s National Migration Institute, state and municipal governments, civil society organizations and asylum seekers themselves. The list logistics also vary. They may include writing name and nationality in a notebook; sending personal contact information through social media, such as a private Facebook group; or sending a Whatsapp note to the list officiator. This lack of standardisation is not only confusing for asylum seekers, but can create nontransparent processes that foster corruption. For example, we and others have heard allegations of list administrators charging bribes to add asylum seekers to their list. The increase in the number asylum seekers and longer wait times has put a stress on shelters in Mexican border cities, which all reported to us that they were over capacity. As a result, asylum seekers rent hotel rooms and apartments or sleep on the streets. This increases their risks for being preyed upon by organised criminals or other opportunistic actors. Creating new issues The nonstandard waiting list process, long wait times and security threats in Mexican border cities have pushed some individuals to cross without authorization between US ports of entry to request asylum. An October 2018 Department of Homeland Security report documented this trend, noting that metering “may have led asylum seekers at ports of entry to attempt illegal border crossings” after being turned away at ports of entry. It has also created confusion with the waitlists in Mexican border cities, as some asylum seekers do not show up for their turns. We believe the challenges are likely to only worsen in the coming months. According to a June 7 agreement with Mexico, US authorities have promised to begin sending back more people to Mexican border cities under the Migrant Protection Protocols, a program that began in January to send asylum seekers to Mexico for the duration of their US asylum case proceedings. With larger numbers of people waiting to seek asylum and others waiting during their asylum cases, Mexican border communities will likely continue to feel the strain. (Savitri Arvey is Graduate Student Researcher at the Center for US-Mexican Studies, University of California San Diego; Steph Leutert is irector of the MDexico Security Initiative, University of Texas at Austin) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Thousands of asylum seekers left waiting at the US-Mexico border

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 18th, 2019

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US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-reaches-deal-with-us-on-migration-averting-tariff-war-trump-225346">US-Mexico immigration deal met President Donald Trump's objectives</a> of fixing immigration problems on the southern US border, but Trump will retain the authority to impose tariffs if Mexico fails to live up to it.

The deal averts a 5%<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-promises-unprecedented-steps-to-curb-migration-in-us-deal-joint-statement-225371"> tariff on all Mexican goods</a> that was due to start on Monday, with Mexico agreeing to rapidly expand a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-offers-to-send-national-guard-to-guatemala-to-stem-migration-sources-225134">controversial asylum program</a> and deploy security forces to stem the flow of illegal Central American migrants.

"We now have an agreement that we believe is going to fix the immigration issue. And that was extremely important to the president," Mnuchin told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of a G20 finance meeting in Fukuoka, Japan.

Mnuchin, who said he participated in a call with Trump just before the deal was announced, said the president would retain the right to impose tariffs if Mexico did not keep its commitments.

"Our expectation is that Mexico will do what they've committed to do and our expectation is that we won’t need to put tariffs in place, but obviously if that's not the case, the president retains that authority."

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that the US-Mexico immigration deal met President Donald Trump's objectives of fixing immigration problems on the southern US border, but Trump will retain the authority to impose tariffs if Mexico fails to live up to it.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that the US-Mexico immigration deal met President Donald Trump's objectives of fixing immigration problems on the southern US border, but Trump will retain the authority to impose tariffs if Mexico fails to live up to it. The deal averts a 5% tariff on all Mexican goods that was due to start on Monday, with Mexico agreeing to rapidly expand a controversial asylum program and deploy security forces to stem the flow of illegal Central American migrants. "We now have an agreement that we believe is going to fix the immigration issue. And that was extremely important to the president," Mnuchin told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of a G20 finance meeting in Fukuoka, Japan. Mnuchin, who said he participated in a call with Trump just before the deal was announced, said the president would retain the right to impose tariffs if Mexico did not keep its commitments. "Our expectation is that Mexico will do what they've committed to do and our expectation is that we won’t need to put tariffs in place, but obviously if that's not the case, the president retains that authority."

US Treasury's Mnuchin says Mexico immigration deal fixes problems

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