A fifth-generation Arizona rancher has raised concerns about the ongoing border crisis, stating that illegal migrant entries have not improved and are continuing to surge. Disturbingly, “pseudo-legitimate” travel agencies have emerged in Senegal, offering migrants a “complete package” to reach the southern border of the United States. This revelation comes as millions of migrants attempt to enter the US illegally.
According to officials, these travel agencies are operating in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, and are providing free travel to Europe for Senegalese nationals. The agencies offer visa-free travel to Europe, enabling migrants to then move to the Western Hemisphere and eventually reach the US. They can either attempt to enter legally at a port of entry using the CBP One app, where 1,600 individuals are allowed in daily, or enter illegally between ports of entry, hoping to be released into the US with a court date far in the future.
A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official has revealed that these travel agencies sell complete packages that connect migrants to smuggling organizations, facilitating their movement towards the US-Mexico border. CBP is collaborating with partners globally to both ensure access to protections for those in need and prevent the exploitation of various travel mechanisms by individuals seeking to enter the US illegally.
The emergence of Senegalese travel agencies highlights the global nature of the migrant crisis, with migrants from over 150 countries attempting to reach the US-Mexico border. This influx shows no signs of slowing down, as CBP announced a record-breaking 242,418 migrant encounters at the southern border in November, making it the highest November on record and the third-highest month of the crisis thus far.
Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller has acknowledged the serious challenge faced by the agency and has called for additional resources from Congress, as requested in the supplemental funding request. The immigration court backlog has reached over three million cases, further exacerbating the situation.
In recent months, Border Patrol has released over 386,000 illegal immigrants into the US with Notices to Appear since October. This has drawn criticism from Republicans, who argue for greater restrictions on asylum and the use of humanitarian parole by the administration. The Biden administration, on the other hand, claims to be dealing with a regional crisis and emphasizes the need for more funding and comprehensive immigration reform to address the broken system.
Negotiations are ongoing in Washington regarding the Biden administration’s request for supplemental funding, including $14 billion for border funding. However, Republicans insist on further asylum restrictions, a demand that some Democrats have urged the administration to reject. Despite hopes for a deal before the end of the year, lawmakers have indicated that a resolution is unlikely until January at the earliest.
The situation at the US-Mexico border remains a pressing concern, with the surge in illegal migrant entries and the strain it places on border officials and immigration courts. As the crisis persists, the need for comprehensive solutions and cooperation between political parties becomes increasingly urgent.
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