The Independent View: Increase In Migrants Seeking Asylum In AZ Overwhelms Border Patrol

It's the latest Challenge for the Biden Administration, which for Months has been grappling with Large Numbers of Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border.

In October, Border Patrol arrested nearly 22,000 People crossing the Border in Yuma, a 1,200% Increase from January, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Data.

"On one hand, Covid and the accompanying recessions left many people in the Latin American middle class a lot worse off and people who would not have considered migrating have decided it's a useful option," said Andrew Selee, President of the Migration Policy Institute. "At the same time, the ease of crossing the border has made some people who have ties to the US decide it's time to come now if they're going to make it. I think both those things are true at the same time."

The Coronavirus Pandemic exacerbated Deteriorating Conditions in Central and South America, prompting People to Journey North. Authorities in South America have been Monitoring the Increased Movement of Migrants in the Region for months.

Earlier this year, the Surge of Haitians, many of whom had been living in South America for years, into Del Rio, Texas, served as example of the Difficulty in tackling Migratory Flows that are constantly Changing. Those Migrants largely made their way on Foot and Bus.

But many Migrants Fleeing Conditions in Latin America and arriving in Yuma took a Different Path, often flying to an Airport in Mexico and then Crossing at a Gap along the Colorado River, cutting the Journey down to just days. It's the most Viable Option for many Venezuelans and Brazilians, for example, who can't obtain a Visa that allows them to work in the U.S., or can't Afford the years-long wait for the Legal Immigration Process.

Yuma Mayor, Douglas Nicholls, recently Issued a Local Emergency to help the Situation in his City. "This is highly unusual. This is ground we've never really tread before," he said.

The Biden Administration is expected to send more than 100 Agents to Yuma, this week, to provide Additional Assistance, according to Nicholls, who's been in touch with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

In a Statement, CBP Spokesperson John Mennell, said it's working with Partners to "expeditiously transport, screen and process those encountered."

"CBP deploys Border Patrol agents and CBP officers as needed to support operations based on fluctuations as necessary. Our borders are not open. CBP stands read to address any scenario as we work to ensure the safety and security of our borders, and to manage a fair and orderly immigration system," the Statement continued.

The Administration has relied on a Trump-era Public Health Order, Title 42, to swiftly remove Thousands of Migrants, but there are some Nationalities, like South Americans, that aren't accepted by Mexico and therefore largely can't be Expelled.

"We're busy everywhere. We're not slow in any specific location. So when you take resources from another location, another busy location, you're just depleting those resources to deal with an issue that can be dealt with through policy," said Brandon Judd, the President of the National Border Patrol Council, adding that Smugglers and Cartels contribute to the Greater number of Migrants crossing along parts of the U.S. Southern Border.

To assist the Border Patrol, Arizona's Department of Public Safety, is Patrolling a Vast area of Desert along the Border, at the Request of Gov. Doug Ducey (R). "Out here, we're watching the desert, watching for movement, looking for any signs that we have a group coming through," said Major Damon Cecil, Chief of Staff of the Criminal Investigations Division, referring to the 75-mile stretch that they're Monitoring for any Criminal Activity.

Cecil and his Troopers try to fill in the Gaps, while the Border Patrol processes the Thousands of Migrants who are turning themselves over and claiming Asylum. "What we're seeing here is a surge of illegal drugs ... because Border Patrol is tied up and they know manpower out here is limited," Cecil said, referring to Smugglers. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeing more Dangerous Drugs in Larger Quantities.

Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, meanwhile, has repeatedly cautioned Migrants against Journeying to the U.S. Southern Border. "I cannot communicate this message too strongly that individuals should not put their life savings in the hands of smuggling organizations that exploit their vulnerability," Mayorkas said during a News Conference, last week. "The border is not open."

But, some Migrants Arrested at Texas Border are being Jailed without Legal Aid.