The Biden administration is scrambling to address the migrant crisis under the Del Rio International Bridge in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security is releasing some Haitians into the United States after vowing that most, if not all, would be repatriated.
“I understand them to be families that are going through processing as other immigrants are,” said Haitian-American Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands).
The issue is sparking a fierce debate in Congress. Republican Congressman Carlos Gimenez (R-Miami) questioned Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayrokas on Wednesday. Mayorkas does not currently know how many migrants are in the United States.
“I work 18 hours a day. So when I returned from yesterday’s hearing, I actually focused on mission,” said Mayorkas. “We will get that data.”
Homeland Security has announced that part of the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay will be converted to a holding center for the refugees. Haitian-Americans in South Florida took to the streets yesterday to protest the harsh treatment of the migrants. They say they will continue to protest until the Biden administration starts to “treat them like asylum seekers, not criminals.”