Earlier this month, the Biden administration reinstated the “catch and release” policy, allowing detained migrants who are deemed “low risk” to be released into the United States pending court dates. Unsurprisingly, south Texas communities along the U.S.-Mexico border have felt the effects of these aliens being released into their localities. One border town mayor has sounded off to voice his concern over President Joe Biden’s misplaced immigration priorities.
The Democratic Del Rio mayor, Bruno Lozano, posted a video calling on President Biden to stop releasing unlawful migrants into his city and neighboring areas. Mayor Lozano said, “I am pleading and requesting with you to please put a halt to any measures regarding the release of immigrants awaiting court dates into the City of Del Rio and surrounding areas. We do not have the resources available to house and accommodate these migrants within our community.”
The south Texas mayor also requested that President Biden provide federal resources for migrants if he intends to continue the practice of releasing them into Del Rio. The severe weather conditions and lack of protection against coronavirus have strained resources for city residents. Mayor Lozano’s concern over the influx of aliens into the Lone Star State has been echoed by several Texas Democratic congressmen representing parts of the border.
The administration’s decision to scrap the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico,” has opened the door for large waves of illegal immigration at the southern border. Before, foreign nationals had to wait in Mexico for their asylum court dates. The effects of this policy change have already stretched the number of Border Patrol agents available to apprehend illegal border crossers. Based on the number of apprehensions made so far in Fiscal Year 2021, it is almost a certainty that more border crossings will occur this year than in FY 2020. This will continue to strain agency resources.
Coupling the removal of the MPP with the return of catch and release, local governments face the possibility of their communities being overwhelmed, all thanks to these flawed immigration policies. It makes no sense to allow the entry of countless foreign nationals, especially while U.S. communities are recovering from a devastating winter storm and a pandemic.
If President Biden is serious about protecting the American people, he ought to follow Mayor Lozano’s example of putting his citizens’ needs first over those of illegal aliens. Otherwise, Americans will continue to bear the burden of being cast aside by their government.