During a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Aaron Heitke, the former San Diego Border Patrol Sector Chief, claimed that the Biden administration pressured him to move migrants out of the view of news cameras. The disclosure came on the heels of the administration's decision to end a pandemic-era border policy and implement new asylum restrictions earlier this year.
Many of these individuals endured lengthy waits in open-air holding areas, often for over a week, with limited access to food and water—relying primarily on donations from humanitarian volunteers. During the hearing, Heitke said: "It looked bad, and they wanted them moved," underscoring the administration's concern over negative public perception.
The detention of migrants in harsh conditions has drawn widespread criticism from humanitarian volunteers, human rights organizations, as well as various members of Congress. Reports showed that individuals were held in an area behind the International Wastewater Treatment Plant, known to agents as "Whiskey Eight." Despite pushback, volunteers noted that agents continued to utilize this location for temporary holding, though the number of groups has diminished, and wait times have decreased compared to a year and a half ago.
A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official disputed Heitke's claims, noting that he retired from the agency last summer. CBP maintains that it prioritizes vulnerable migrants and expedites their processing. The agency added that it allocated additional resources to the San Diego Sector last year to enhance efficiency.
The ongoing situation has drawn scrutiny, especially since a judge ruled earlier this year that the area between the border walls qualifies as a detention space, prohibiting the holding of children there. However, volunteers report seeing children still left waiting in the open air.
Despite a significant drop in apprehensions since May, the practice has persisted, according to Heitke, who explained that this method was initially adopted due to a surge in asylum seekers outpacing available processing space. However, recent statistics reveal that apprehensions have decreased significantly; in August 2024, San Diego agents recorded just over 14,400 apprehensions, down from over 25,000 in April 2023.
As the situation continues to unfold, both advocates and officials await further findings from the Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which has been investigating these practices. The DHS has yet to release a public report on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the treatment of migrants in this critical area.
Multiple Mexican news outlets have revealed that thousands of migrants in caravans are now moving north from southern Mexico, with more expected to leave this week, as people fear United States asylum may be restricted if Donald Trump becomes president again. According to the news outlets in Chiapas, Oaxaca and Tlaxcala, the first caravan of 600 to 800 people left Tapachula on Oct. 5. Many migrants are also reportedly stuck in Chiapas, struggling to find work and facing hunger.
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