Democratic County Judge Ricardo Samaniego told The Dallas Morning News that he believes there will be up to 5,000 illegal crossings per day when the enforcement of Title 42 ends next week. The daily average is currently 2,400.
The newspaper reported that Samaniego indicated non-governmental organizations would help orchestrate travel by noncitizens to airports in cities such as Dallas, Houston, Denver, and Phoenix. The city is seeking relief as illegal immigrants crowd its airport, downtown area, and other public spaces without basic necessities.
The federal government has committed $6 million to help the city respond to the rush. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16) previously urged the Biden administration to provide more resources to El Paso. Samaniego and Mayor Oscar Leeser met with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas when he visited the area this week.
Previously, the city ended its busing program after it was compared to Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to transport noncitizens out of state who volunteer and provide federal documentation. Abbott’s office stated last week that the state has sent more than 14,000 noncitizens to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia since April.
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Thursday that his office would investigate NGOs after Abbott expressed suspicion that there are organizations “assisting illegal border crossings” on both sides of the border. Though Abbott did not cite the basis for the allegation, he asked Paxton to inquire further into the matter.
Texas and other states have asked a federal judge to require the Biden administration to continue the use of Title 42.
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Hayden Sparks
Hayden Sparks is a senior reporter for The Texan and a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State. He has coached competitive speech and debate and has been involved in politics since a young age. One of Hayden's favorite quotes is by Sam Houston: "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."
