GOP Senators Slammed Biden for IGNORING a Crisis

"200812-H-AT503-1030" (United States government work) by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Republican Senators slammed Biden on Tuesday for ignoring the current crisis that is happening at the southern border after revelations that the Customs and Border Protection shut down highways and checkpoints so that people could be redirected in order to address the overwhelming surge of migrants flocking the borders.

GOP lawmakers urged Biden to act hours after the Fox News report was published stating that the CBP had to shut down checkpoints in Willcox, Arizona. 

According to recent reports, the number of child migrants in custody at the federal border facilities had TRIPLED over the last two weeks, with a current number of 3,250 migrants. Many were being held longer than three days that is currently allowed under the law. 

An official from the CBP also told Fox News that the checkpoints had been closed in early January because of the shifting migrant patterns in the area, with very limited personnel left in place to assist with the security checkpoints. 

However, the move this week to completely remove checkpoints is made in order to free up an additional workforce that would deal with the rising number of migrant traffic. 

There CBP was warned that their decision to shut down the checkpoints would weaken the anti-trafficking efforts at the border and would allow smugglers and illegal immigrants to access the border faster. 

CBP said in a statement, “Tucson Sector has redirected manpower, based on operational needs in response to shifting traffic patterns, resulting in the closure of several tactical checkpoints in southeastern Arizona.”

The agency also added that the checkpoints would be reopened “as manpower and activity levels dictate.”

Republican Senator Ted Cruz took it on Twitter and slammed Biden for ignoring the crisis. Cruz wrote, on Twitter, “How much more will it take for the Biden administration to admit there is a crisis on the border?” 

Senator Josh Hawley also called out the Biden administration for failing to take action. Hawley said, “The border is approaching full-blown crisis, and the Biden Admin’s response is … nothing,” Hawley said.

Since Biden entered the White House in January, officials have noted a surge in immigration at the southern border. 

This week, CBP will release the figures that are expected to show approximately 100,000 apprehensions just in February alone. There were 78,000 apprehensions in January. 

Despite the rising numbers every month, the White House is in denial of calling the situation at the border a crisis.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a press briefing, “I don’t think we need to sit here and put new labels on what we’ve already conveyed is challenging.”

As soon as Biden took office last January, he started reversing a series of Trump-era immigration policies. However, despite the bold changes that Biden made, his Press Secretary said that the “majority” of the people who arrive at the border are “turned away.”

 

On Monday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asked staffers to volunteer to help CBP with what he called “overwhelming numbers” of migrants.

Mayorkas said in an email obtained by Fox News, “You have likely seen the news about the overwhelming numbers of migrants seeking access to this country along the Southwest Border.” He continued, “President Biden and I are committed to ensuring our Nation has a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system while continuing to balance all of the other critical DHS missions.”

Republicans have linked Biden’s policy shift to the sudden migrant surge at the border, stating that the Biden administration is “incentivizing migrants” to come north.

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