The Mexican government has responded to recent reports of migrants using an opening in the U.S. border fence, known as the San Judas Break, to illegally enter the United States by establishing a checkpoint near the area. This move comes after 60 Minutes confirmed the widespread use of the gap by migrants to cross into the U.S.
However, migrants have shifted their crossing point to another location, approximately four miles east of the San Judas Break. This new spot is more challenging to reach, requiring hours of walking, and is not directly accessible by vehicle like the previous location where smugglers used SUVs to drop off migrants.
The San Judas Break gained international attention when 60 Minutes witnessed nearly 600 migrants, including adults and children, using the 4-foot gap in the border fence over four days last month. Migrants navigated the gap by ducking under razor wire, highlighting the vulnerabilities in border security infrastructure.
Resident Jerry Shuster, who owns land near the gap, estimated that approximately 3,000 migrants cross through the gap each week. Despite his efforts to alert authorities about the issue, including requests to fix the hole, Shuster expressed frustration at the lack of action.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) acknowledged the problem, stating that closing the gap was a priority but would require funding from Congress. CBP clarified that border patrol agents do not have the legal authority to prevent individuals from entering through such gaps; their role is limited to apprehending migrants after they have entered illegally.
Notably, some of the migrants using the San Judas Break and the new crossing point east of it are from China, representing the fastest-growing group attempting to cross into the U.S. from Mexico. Last year alone, CBP reported apprehending 37,000 Chinese citizens trying to cross the border illegally.
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The surge in migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border has prompted significant concerns, with approximately two-and-a-half million encounters recorded by CBP last year. In response to the escalating situation, the U.S. House of Representatives voted narrowly to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of border security issues.
Mayorkas faced allegations of releasing migrants into the U.S. without proper detention and providing misleading information to lawmakers about border security.
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President Biden condemned the impeachment vote, labeling it a “blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship” and accusing Republicans of prioritizing political games over bipartisan efforts to address border security challenges.
As the debate over immigration policies intensifies, the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to implement effective measures to secure the southern border while upholding humanitarian values.
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