A municipal official in El Paso, Texas, warns that migration into the city cannot be a “free-for-all” and calls for policy changes in Washington while noting that a last-minute suspension of the Biden administration’s parole policy may have prevented a larger influx.
The deputy city manager for public health and safety, Mario D’Agostino, told Fox News Digital on Friday that it still feels like “the calm before the storm” following the expiration of the Title 42 public health order on Thursday.
He said that the Border Patrol apprehended over 1,700 individuals in the El Paso sector yesterday alone. He said that their processing facility is at capacity, and there are currently well over 6,000 people in custody. These figures will be distributed and made available. He added that they would see more of these figures throughout the weekend.
There are indications that daily encounters with migrants did not increase after the end of Title 42 on Thursday evening. Before the end of Title 42, daily encounters with migrants along the entire border had risen above the 10,000 mark. It was anticipated that a new surge would occur once the order, which allowed for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the border, was rescinded, with migrants believing they had a better chance of being admitted.
D’Agostino stated last night they issued a restraining order against the ruling prohibiting rapid paroles. Because of the rapid paroles, individuals are discharged much more quickly than usual. And this is where the city is truly burdened. He believes this is the reason why there are fewer of them today. If not for the stay on that last night, he believes they would be seeing a large influx of them decompressing their shelters right now.
According to him, most of the population entering border towns like El Paso wants to leave the border for locations like the East Coast and will travel deeper into the interior. Washington must change its policies in response to migrants crossing the border in large numbers.
D’Agostino said to control the flow; there must be policy changes at the federal level. Congress must come together and make the necessary policy changes. He said he understands why individuals want to immigrate to the United States, that they want that chance and a portion of the American dream. It must, however, be done in an organized manner, he said.
He drew attention to the homeless encampment on the streets and the associated health and sanitation concerns. “Entry is not a free-for-all,” D’Agostino explained, and there must be a procedure.
He emphasized that migrants frequently do not have court dates for years and may be unable to work during this period, which hinders their capacity for self-sufficiency.
It isn’t just about migrants’ safety, but also about protecting the entire community. Because of this, he believes it is time for those policy adjustments.