U.S. Border Patrol agents have encountered nearly 2,000 migrants crossing into the country illegally in the Rio Grande Valley Sector in just 24 hours, and are aware of hundreds more who slipped through without being taken into custody.
Agents in the sector, which extends inland 316 river miles from the Texas Gulf Coast, encountered 1,909 migrants on Friday, with another 262 detected on sensors but getting away because there's simple now enough manpower, a Department of Homeland Security source told Fox News.
The sector has seen a surge of illegal crossings, and this week agents there apprehended four MS-13 gang members and two migrants previously arrested on sex crime charges.
Over the 12 months ending October 1, more than 1.7 million migrants have been encountered on the U.S. southern border, including more than 192,000 in September alone.
Migrants are seen attempting to enter the United States illegally in Texas. The Rio Grande Valley Sector has seen a surge in illegal crossings with 1,909 encounters in 24 hours
Migrants are seen in a recent bust in Arizona. The surge in illegal migration has led to criticism of President Joe Biden
The surge in illegal migration has led to criticism of President Joe Biden, who ended several border policies put in place under the Trump administration.
On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott accused Biden of turning 'a blind eye' to the growing problems on the southern border while showing concern for the refugee crisis along the Belarusian-Polish border in Eastern Europe.
'President Biden’s concern for other nations’ borders, while he turns a blind eye to the United States’ borders that he swore to protect and defend, is appalling,' Abbott's Press Secretary Renae Eze told DailyMail.com.
'His reckless open border policies have created an ongoing crisis along our southern border, leading to a 61-year record-high number of illegal immigrants surging into our state.'
Border Patrol agents are seen intercepting migrants in Texas earlier this month
The record-shattering number of migrants has overwhelmed state and local officials who have been pleading for help from the Biden administration and spurred further concern over the spread of COVID-19.
Abbott's press secretary claims the Lone Star state was forced to 'step up' to secure the border while Biden's government was 'absent.'
'Texas continues stepping up to secure our southern border and protect Texans in the federal government’s absence,' Eze said.
'Since Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March, the National Guard and DPS have apprehended over 76,000 migrants and arrested over 8,800 who committed a state or federal crime, including smugglers and human traffickers, to crack down on illegal crossings of migrants coming from over 150 countries around the world.'
Over the 12 months ending October 1, more than 1.7 million migrants have been encountered on the US southern border, including more than 192,000 in September alone
Responding to a request for comment from DailyMail.com, a White House National Security Council official condemned the situation in Belarus and said the Biden administration would be adding 'follow-up sanctions' to punish the autocratic regime.
'We are deeply concerned by the Lukashenka regime’s inhumane actions and strongly condemn their callous exploitation and coercion of vulnerable people,' the official said.
'We are preparing follow up sanctions in close coordination with the EU and other partners and Allies that hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its ongoing attacks on democracy, human rights, and international norms.'
The official added that while the situations in Belarus and the United States are different, the Biden administration has been consistent on its condemnation of human trafficking across the world.
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