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U.S. Border Patrol officials have refuted claims of an “open” border as migrants make their way to the United States prior to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
I emailed the Department of Homeland Security to get their comment on the matter, as reported by Newsweek.
Why It Matters
President-elect Trump has made a strong commitment to implement the most comprehensive deportation program in history as he prepares to serve a second term in the White House starting in January. His firm stance on immigration was a central pillar of his campaign for the presidency.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump made a significant pledge to address the issue of unauthorized immigration in the United States.
What To Know
On December 18, International Migrants Day, a large group of migrants converged near the U.S.-Mexico border in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The gathering was a result of widespread rumors on social media about the possibility of an “open border.”
Around 100 migrants from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador were captured on video by Corrie Boudreaux, praying along the Rio Grande in Juarez, near the border with El Paso, Texas, on Thursday, as reported by Storyful.
According to El Diario, authorities deployed pepper balls or spray towards a group of migrants in Juarez.
What People Are Saying
El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good debunked the rumors circulating on social media about areas between the ports of entry on the southwest border being open for migration on International Migrant’s Day. He emphasized that these rumors are completely false and stated that individuals who enter between ports of entry without a legal basis will face legal consequences.
Misinformation about an open border has been circulating on social media, as reported by NewsNation. This is not the first instance of such misinformation spreading.
Hundreds of Venezuelans and other foreign nationals gathered at Gate 36 of the border wall in El Paso in February of last year. Rumors had spread that the U.S. was sending buses to transport migrants to Canada.
What Happens Next
Americans and migrants seeking refuge should brace themselves for significant changes to United States immigration policies as Trump prepares to assume power next month.
According to undisclosed sources from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, it is anticipated that Trump will sign a set of executive orders on immigration shortly after taking office, as reported by Newsweek.
Trump has made it a consistent promise to implement his flagship mass deportation plan. He has also committed to closing down the CBP One app, abolishing the catch-and-release policy, and reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” program. Additionally, he aims to put an end to birthright citizenship.