The DHS secretary says the border is closed: ‘The message is quite clear, don’t come’

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro MayorkasAlejandro MayorkasNumber of migrant children in US custody has exceeded 15,000: Sunday report shows previous: Biden administration struggles against border increase; US mourns shooting victims in Atlanta Mexico launches measures to limit Guatemalan border crossings MORE on Sunday, he urged migrants not to travel to the United States, as the Biden government struggles with a sudden increase in new arrivals, especially unaccompanied minors, on the southern border.

“The message is very clear, don’t come. The border is closed, the border is safe, ”Mayorkas told presenter Martha Raddatz on ABC’s“ This Week ”program.

“We are encouraging children not to come. Now is not the time to come. Don’t come, the journey is dangerous. We are building safe, orderly and humane ways to meet the needs of vulnerable children. Don’t come, ”added Mayorkas.

On Saturday, the US government was housing some 15,500 unaccompanied minor children, CBS News reported, including 5,000 teenagers and children in border patrol facilities not equipped to deal with them.

Border Patrol facilities also house migrants for an average of 136 hours, which exceeds the 72-hour limit, the network noted.

Mayorkas said on Sunday that the United States had seen a large number of migrations in the past, adding that the government knows how to deal with the situation.

“We know how to handle this. We have a plan, we are executing our plan and we will be successful. This is what we do, ”said Mayorkas.

He noted, however, that it “takes time”, noting that controlling the situation at the border is now particularly “challenging and difficult” because “the entire system under United States law that was in place during the administrations of both parties was dismantled in its entirety by the Trump administration. ”

“Therefore, we are rebuilding the system as we address the needs of vulnerable children arriving at our borders,” said Mayorkas.

In an interview broadcast last Tuesday, President bidenJoe BidenBiden hampered by lack of confirmations Louisiana’s special election to replace Richmond leads the second round Larry Summers explosions .9 T stimulus as ‘less responsible’ economic policy in 40 years MORE also urged migrants not to make the trip to the US

“I can tell you clearly not to go,” he told ABC News. “Don’t leave your city or community.”

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