The largest migrant assistance organization in south Texas is shutting its doors to newcomers, unable to take in more migrants because of the record-high number of people coming over the border and being subsequently released into the United States.
This past week, Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley encountered more than 20,000 noncitizens illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Unable to deal with the influx of people being released into downtown McAllen, Texas, Catholic Charities closed its humanitarian respite center. Migrants released from federal custody are normally allowed to wait in the respite center as they make travel plans to their final destinations across the country.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many challenges across the country. The border communities face particular challenges because of the influx of migrants arriving every single day,” Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat, announced in a statement late Monday.
Rather than testing migrants after they are released from Border Patrol facilities, the Border Patrol is now taking people directly from the border to a testing site in McAllen. Agents are finding high positive rates among some demographics, including children who arrive without a parent or guardian.
BORDER AUTHORITIES ENCOUNTERED 190,000 PEOPLE ILLEGALLY CROSSING BORDER IN JUNE, HIGHEST IN 21 YEARS
“[Twenty-seven percent] of the unaccompanied children deported this week tested positive for COVID-19 with Brownsville experiencing a 15% positivity rate,” Cuellar said.
The top Border Patrol agent in south Texas, Brian Hastings, said more people are arriving at the border in mid-July than since the government’s fiscal year began in October 2020, as temperatures peak in the triple digits.
A total of 330,000 migrants have been encountered in the Rio Grande Valley alone over the past 10 months, up 478% from the same time last year.
It’s the hottest part of the summer and apprehensions are skyrocketing! #USBP Apprehensions surpassed the 1-million milestone in June.
NOW- this week alone – #RGV has apprehended more than 20K illegally present migrants. pic.twitter.com/chGrcYGC3Q
— Chief Patrol Agent Brian Hastings (@USBPChiefRGV) July 25, 2021
As a result of the influx of migrants coming over the border, Border Patrol agents are getting sick. Eighty-seven Border Patrol agents who work in the Rio Grande Valley and neighboring Laredo region have tested positive for the coronavirus as the U.S. faces a new wave of the virus following the introduction of the delta variant from India.
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“The DHS Secretary must prioritize the health and safety of border agents and border communities to help them through this public health emergency,” Cuellar said. “Our border patrol agents have been thanklessly serving our southern border and processing immigrants, despite the dangers from the virus.”
