Is the Biden Administration Planning to Release Illegal Crossers into US Communities?

According to a recent report, Chief Border Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez held a meeting with local law enforcement in Weslaco, Texas where she described the Biden administration’s plan to release en masse illegal foreign nationals into the U.S. when Title 42 ends.

Key Takeaways:

• The Biden administration sought to end Title 42, a public health authority implemented during the pandemic under the Trump administration.
• Texas sued the administration to prevent it from ending Title 42.
• Border Patrol agents in December took an average of 15,000 illegal foreign nationals into custody every day, with some sectors at 150% capacity.
• The highest number of Cuban and Nicaraguan illegal entries were recorded in U.S. history.
• Single, military-age men make up 70% of illegal entries.
• Illicit fentanyl is the “choice drug” coming through the southern border, with the highest volumes being seized in RGV Sector.
• The Border Patrol is “working with resiliency to deal with multiple suicides.”
• The Border Patrol is coordinating with local mayors and NGOs to move people into the U.S.

Border Patrol at Breaking Point

The audio recording obtained by The Center Square from the meeting held by Chief Border Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez reveals the harsh reality of the current situation at the southern border. With more than 300,000 apprehensions and gotaways reported in December, the highest in U.S. history, the Border Patrol is at breaking point.

Border Patrol Agent’s Assessment

One of the Border Patrol agents at the meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of the southern border. He noted that “everything has changed in the last two years,” with the entire landscape having changed, not only with the entries but also with the demographics and types of people who are exploiting the immigration process.

The high volume of people coming in has resulted in more people being processed for release because the facilities simply can’t sustain it. The agent noted that single, military-age men make up 70% of illegal entries, which are harder to deal with because of safety concerns. The Border Patrol is also facing a growing number of armed individuals, with 17 Border Patrol agents being assaulted last year – the highest number ever seen.

The Future of Border Surveillance

The agent also revealed that by the spring, all aerostats, balloons with surveillance capabilities, won’t be operational because they are no longer being funded. The aerostats have acted as vital “force multipliers” in helping agents track gotaways and other interdiction efforts. The agent noted that when the Mexican side knows they are up, activity drops, but with no aerostats in the air, the cartels will have greater capability to evade law enforcement.

Drugs and Suicides at the Border

The agent also highlighted that the “choice drug” coming through the southern border is illicit fentanyl, with the highest volumes being seized in RGV Sector. In addition, the Border Patrol is “working with resiliency to deal with multiple suicides,” with agents needing support more than ever before.

Coordination with Local Mayors and NGOs

The agent revealed that the Border Patrol is coordinating with local mayors and NGOs to move people into the U.S. However, there needs to be better coordination from the NGOs back to Border Patrol to let them know where they are dropping people off. Once they are released into the U.S., there’s no tracking mechanism to know where they are.

Chavez’s Closing Remarks

Chief Border Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez closed the briefing by saying she was coordinating with local mayors and NGOs