Amid an ongoing surge of illegal immigration from Central America, the Obama administration is releasing migrants — detained illegally entering the United States — into Laredo, according to Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar.
“The Department of Homeland Security is releasing immigrants, mostly from Central America, in the Laredo area where they are free to go with relatives or sponsor organizations while they are given a Notice to Appear for an asylum hearing before an immigration judge on a certain date,” Cuellar explained in a statement.
“These immigrants were previously processed to be deported before being reprocessed with a Notice to Appear and therefore released on their own recognizance,” he added.
Cuellar is expressing concern not just about the recent releases but also the anticipated, ongoing crush of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“I continue to stress the need to be more proactive and work with our neighbors in both Mexico and Central America to curb these huge waves of illegal immigration to the United States,” the Texas Democrat added.
The number of migrants detained illegally entering the U.S. via the southern border has been on the rise in recent months with 46,191 detained in October, and 47,214 detained in November alone — levels not seen since the headline-grabbing humanitarian crisis of 2014.
According to Cuellar, border communities are feeling the brunt of the onslaught.
“Our taxpayer dollars, and more importantly, our border communities, are bearing the burden of providing emergency shelter and food for many of these immigrants who have been coming to the border and pleading asylum in record numbers,” Cuellar added.
The Texan further warned that another 40,000 migrants from Haiti, Africa, Asia and the Middle East are also expected to be heading from Haiti to the U.S.-Mexico border.
“I recently spoke with Roman Macaya, Costa Rican Ambassador to the United States, regarding information that about 40,000 migrants from Haiti, as well as Africa, Asia and the Middle East, will be on their way to the United States southern border via Central America and Mexico,” Cuellar said.