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Republican senators accuse Biden administration of ignoring crisis at southern border

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Republican senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley both accused the Biden administration on Tuesday of ignoring the crisis at the southern border.

This happened after revelations that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) shut down highway checkpoints to redirect personnel to the surge of migrants. The Senators urged Biden to act hours after it was reported that CBP shutdown three highway checkpoints in Wilcox, Arizona. 

Fox News reports that the number of migrant children currently being held has tripled to 3,250 over that last two weeks. Many of the children are being held longer than the three days allowed under law. Former CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan has stated that he has seen data that says there is a current average of 3,000 illegal border crossings each day at our southern border. He also stated that they are apprehending 300 unaccompanied minors each day.

Former Obama Homeland Security Advisor Jeh Johnson stated that having around 1,000 illegal border crossers detained each day was a “bad number.” Senator Ted Cruz took to Twitter, saying, “How much more will it take for the Biden administration to admit there is a crisis on the border?” Senator Josh Hawley also stated on Twitter, “The border is approaching full-blown crisis, and the Biden Admin’s response is … nothing.” Officials have noted a surge in illegal immigration at the southern border since Biden took office. According to CBP figures, law enforcement has encountered over 100,000 at the border in the month of February which is up from 78,000 in January.

So far, the White House has yet to call the situation a crisis. “I don’t think we need to sit here and put new labels on what we’ve already conveyed is challenging,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. Biden has overturned numerous Trump-era border policies since taking office. One of the major policies overturned was the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as “Remain in Mexico.” As personnel move from highway checkpoints to the southern border CBP warns that the decision to shut down highway checkpoints could weaken anti-trafficking efforts and allow smugglers easier access to the border.

ARTICLE: DUSTIN RODGERS

POLITICS EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: VOX

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