DHS Secretary Says Border Is Closed
By Mychael Schnell, The Hill
21 March 21
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday urged migrants not
to travel to the United States, as the Biden administration struggles with a
surge of incomers, especially unaccompanied minors, at the southern border.
"The message is quite clear, do not come. The border is closed, the border
is secure," Mayorkas told host Martha Raddatz on ABC's "This Week."
"We are encouraging children not to come. Now is not the time to come. Do
not come, the journey is dangerous. We are building safe, orderly and humane
ways to address the needs of vulnerable children. Do not come," Mayorkas
added.
On Saturday, the U.S. government was housing approximately 15,500
unaccompanied migrant minors, CBS News reported, including 5,000 teenagers
and children in Border Patrol facilities not equipped to handle them.
The Border Patrol facilities are also housing migrants for 136 hours on
average, which exceeds the 72-hour limit, the network noted.
Mayorkas said on Sunday that the U.S. has seen large numbers of migration in
the past, adding that the administration knows how to address the situation.
"We know how to address it. We have a plan, we are executing on our plan,
and we will succeed. This is what we do," Mayorkas said.
He noted, however, that "it takes time," noting that controlling the
situation at the border right now is particularly "challenging and
difficult" because "the entire system under United States law that has been
in place throughout administrations of both parties was dismantled in its
entirety by the Trump administration."
"So we are rebuilding the system as we address the needs of vulnerable
children who arrive at our borders," Mayorkas said.
In an interview broadcast Tuesday, President Biden also urged migrants not
to make the journey to the U.S.
"I can say quite clearly don't come over," he told ABC News. "Don't leave
your town or city or community."
Miriam's comment: How is this different from the previous administration?
The words are kinder. The policy is identical. And it is the same as Obama's
policy was.
