All articles tagged with #border crisis
Iran has deported approximately 800,000 Afghan refugees since March, with a sharp increase in recent weeks, straining Afghanistan's resources and raising concerns about the treatment of those expelled, many of whom are undocumented or have lived in Iran for years.
Two men were sentenced to life in prison for their roles in a tragic smuggling operation that led to the deaths of 53 migrants in a Texas tractor-trailer in 2022, highlighting the deadly risks migrants face and the ongoing issues of human trafficking at the US border.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, has waived his right to a jury trial in the killing of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, opting for a bench trial instead. The case has intensified political debate over the U.S. border crisis, with figures like President-elect Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton weighing in. Ibarra, accused of killing Riley during a run on the University of Georgia campus, was indicted on multiple charges and linked to the crime through security footage and physical evidence. The trial is set to begin soon.
Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary, admitted that President Biden's recent executive order on the border is aimed at addressing a significant "political vulnerability" ahead of the 2024 election. The order will temporarily suspend the entry of non-citizens across the southern border when daily encounters exceed 2,500, and will remain in effect until the average drops below 1,500. This move is intended to make it easier for immigration officers to remove individuals without a legal basis to stay in the U.S. Biden has faced criticism from both Republicans and progressive Democrats over this decision.
Jennie Taer discusses the ongoing immigration crisis, emphasizing that the current number of migrants is overwhelming the system, as highlighted in a Fox News video segment.
The Senate voted along party lines to dismiss two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, marking the rapid close to the first impeachment of a sitting Cabinet secretary. Republicans criticized Democrats for not following House directions, while Democrats argued that impeachment should not be used to settle policy disagreements. The trial ended before House impeachment managers could present their arguments, with even the most politically vulnerable Democrats voting unanimously to reject both charges and bring the trial to a close.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told lawmakers that even sanctuary cities should cooperate with federal immigration officials to remove criminal migrants, and admitted that the migrant surge across the US-Mexico border is a "crisis." Mayorkas also advocated for the 287(g) Program and urged the passage of bipartisan legislation to address the broken immigration system. He faced criticism over the DHS budget request and is due to face a grilling over it before the House Committee on Homeland Security next week, as well as a Senate trial for impeachment articles alleging failure to enforce border laws and lying to Congress.
Impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have been delayed until next week, as Speaker Mike Johnson's office announced the transmission of the articles of impeachment will be postponed. The House voted to impeach Mayorkas over allegations of failing to enforce border laws, which he denies. Senate Republicans are preparing for the trial, while Senate Democrats are expected to vote to dismiss or table the trial once the articles arrive, with potential blowback from Republicans.
Local officials in Southern California warn of overwhelming strain on communities as surging border crossings lead to record numbers of migrants being encountered and released by Border Patrol agents, with many ending up at local transit stations before continuing on to other cities around the country. The situation has led to concerns about strain on local resources, lack of border security, and potential homelessness for migrants in California.
Fermin Garcia-Gutierrez, an illegal Mexican immigrant deported at least eight times and arrested nearly a dozen times, is now facing murder charges in Ohio after a man's body was found. He has used multiple names and birthdates, been charged with over 20 crimes, and is a gang member. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones criticized the broken border system, stating that nearly 1,000 illegal aliens have faced state charges in their jail since July 2021, and emphasized the need to stop the border invasion.
The Justice Department's lawsuit against Texas over its S.B. 4 law allowing Public Safety officers to detain and deport illegal migrants was heard in court, with Texas congressmen Henry Cuellar and Tony Gonzales expressing differing opinions on the state's authority to enforce immigration laws. The three-judge panel heard arguments regarding Texas' appeal of the Fifth Circuit's blockage of the law, with Cuellar emphasizing the need for federal government involvement and bipartisan cooperation, while Gonzales claimed Texas has the right to create and enforce its own immigration laws due to perceived failures by the Biden administration.
House Speaker Mike Johnson notified Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that the House will send impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10, with the trial expected to begin on April 11. The GOP-controlled House voted to impeach Mayorkas for alleged violations of immigration laws and lying to Congress. The Democratic-controlled Senate is expected to acquit Mayorkas, as convicting him would require two-thirds of the Senate, which Republicans don’t have. President Joe Biden denounced Republicans for their "blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship," and the 11 GOP impeachment managers have been named, including notable appointment Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Daniel Miller, president of the Texas Nationalist Movement, claims that footage of migrants surging the southern border has increased support for the TEXIT movement, which advocates for Texas seceding from the US. He criticizes the federal government's handling of the border crisis and argues that Texas would be better off as a self-governing nation with its own immigration policy. Miller highlights the growing support for TEXIT in Texas and emphasizes the need for Texans to govern themselves.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced criticism for suggesting that the viral video of migrants storming the Texas border is the responsibility of Gov. Greg Abbott, not President Biden. Critics argue that Biden has not taken sufficient action to secure the southern border, with some pointing out that he has sued Abbott to prevent him from addressing the issue. Social media users and political commentators condemned Jean-Pierre's statement, calling it an abdication of duty and blaming the Biden administration for the border crisis.
A reporter who witnessed a migrant stampede at the Texas border described the situation escalating into "absolute chaos" in a matter of seconds as adult males charged past National Guard troops. Video footage showed dozens of migrants rushing past guardsmen and attempting to breach the border wall. One migrant has been arrested in connection with the stampede, and officials say more arrests are likely. The incident marks the latest flashpoint in the ongoing border crisis, with concerns that migrant numbers could swell again as the summer months approach.