Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested two large groups of illegal immigrants, totaling 253 people at a location near the southern border on Thursday night.
One group of agents was examining 166 illegal immigrants south of Mission, Texas, when another group of 87 turned themselves in to agents, CBP said. According to a press release, the groups consisted mainly of unaccompanied minors and family units and came from human smugglers.
“Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to attempt these blatant attempts without taking into account the lives that endanger the health of the citizens of our great nation,” the statement said.
CBP OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RECOVERS ‘CAPTURE AND RELEASE’ POLICY ON THE BORDER AMONG PROBLEMS
“United States Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley sector will continue to protect the nation and the community from these criminal elements.”
The arrests came as thousands of immigrants reportedly approached the border while the Biden government worked on policies that would liberalize the country’s immigration system. Among these policies, Biden pledged to create a path to citizenship – something that many describe as amnesty – for people here illegally.
“CBP has seen a steady increase in border encounters since April 2020, which, compounded by COVID-19 restrictions and social distance guidelines, has caused some facilities to reach maximum safe holding capacity,” according to CBP Public Relations Officer Rod Kise.
The CBP also reported that agents arrested 38 illegal immigrants on Wednesday in what they thought was a hiding place.
“Upon arrival, several individuals were seen leaving the residence through a broken window in an attempt to escape before being taken into custody,” the statement said. “Agents and deputies entered the property and found several other subjects.”
While the agency pledged to “prosecute” migrants, the Biden government recently restored the “catch and release” policy revoked by former President Trump.
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This is the first time since the 2019 outbreak that the CBP has been compelled to revive the political controversy.
CBP said that three factors led to the decision to release families of illegal immigrants: an increase in migrant trafficking – specifically, Central American families and unaccompanied children; Mexico’s refusal to accept additional families with children under the age of 12 in areas where migrant camps become increasingly large, overburdening shelter and services; and COVID-19, which severely reduced Border Patrol detention and transportation capacity.
William LaJeneusse of Fox News contributed to this report.