The border crisis continues to escalate as new statistics from CBP reveal that over 11,000 migrants were encountered in just 24 hours. In response, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken bold action by chartering a plane with more than 100 illegal migrants to Chicago. Former acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf is set to discuss whether the Biden administration will take any meaningful action, but before that, let's dive into the situation on the ground.
In a desolate stretch of the Arizona desert near Lukeville, the border is being overrun on a daily basis. Adult men from various parts of the world, predominantly from Africa, are crossing illegally and awaiting processing by Border Patrol. Some of these migrants have revealed their destinations, with many heading to cities like Minnesota, New York City, Chicago, and New Jersey.
Recently, a remarkable sight was captured in the morning hours: a massive group of approximately 750 individuals crossing illegally into Lukeville through a breach in the border wall. Among them were men from different countries, along with families from Mexico and Ecuador. The overwhelmed Border Patrol is struggling to cope with the increasing number of crossings, despite the promised deployment of the Arizona National Guard, which has yet to be observed.
Interestingly, during interviews with the migrants, one man from Guinea expressed his desire to go to Philadelphia but seemed uncertain about his reasons. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the address he mentioned led to a local community center in Philadelphia, adding an intriguing element to the ongoing situation.
The crisis is not limited to Lukeville alone. Eagle Pass, another affected area, has witnessed over 10,000 illegal crossings in recent days. Alarmingly, the demographics of the migrants have expanded beyond the typical groups from Venezuela, Guatemala, and Mexico. People from countries such as Lebanon, Oman, Guinea, Albania, and Bangladesh, among others, have also been apprehended, further challenging Border Patrol resources and efforts to maintain control.
Governor Greg Abbott has responded to the overwhelming situation by modifying his approach. Instead of relying solely on bus drop-offs, he has initiated flights to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities in the United States, with the first flight departing from El Paso and landing in Chicago. Governor Abbott attributes this decision to Chicago's obstructionist stance, claiming that sanctuary cities have interfered with their bus drop-offs.
As the numbers continue to surge, it is imperative for the Biden administration to address the border crisis and take effective measures to secure the border. With over 200,000 migrant encounters recorded in December alone, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. Time is of the essence, and a comprehensive solution is needed to alleviate the burden on overwhelmed Texas border towns and restore order to the border.
