Feds Ask Texas to Help with Del Rio Bridge Detention Camp Crisis

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials requested help from Texas officials to stem the growing humanitarian crisis in Del Rio where more than 9,000 migrants are detained under a bridge. Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded by sending additional DPS troopers and National Guard units to “shut down six ports of entry” and “stop the caravans from overrunning our state.”

“The sheer negligence of the Biden Administration to do their job and secure the border is appalling. I have directed the Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to surge personnel and vehicles to shut down six points of entry along the southern border to stop these caravans from overrunning our state,” Governor Abbott said in a written statement. “The border crisis is so dire that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is requesting our help as their agents are overwhelmed by the chaos. Unlike President Biden, the State of Texas remains committed to securing our border and protecting Americans.”

In response to an inquiry from Breitbart Texas on Thursday morning, CBP officials said, “The Border Patrol is increasing its manpower in the Del Rio Sector and coordinating efforts within DHS and other relevant federal, state and local partners to immediately address the current level of migrant encounters and to facilitate a safe, humane and orderly process.”

CBP officials claim that drinking water, towels, and portable toilets are being delivered for the migrants to use while being detained under the Del Rio International Bridge. However, videos and photographs of the bridge area do not show portable toilets in adequate numbers to serve the more than 9,000 migrants currently in detention under the bridge.

Officials also claim, “To prevent injuries from heat-related illness, the shaded area underneath Del Rio International Bridge is serving as a temporary staging site while migrants wait to be taken into USBP custody.” But videos and photographs show the numbers of migrants being held in the bridge area have far exceeded the capacity of the bridge to provide shade.

Officials also claimed that “the vast majority of single adults and many families will continue to be expelled under the CDC’s Title 42 authority, and those who cannot be expelled under Title 42 and do not have a legal basis to remain will be placed in expedited removal proceedings.” They did not say how many of the mostly Haitian migrants fall under these procedures.

Breitbart Texas asked CBP officials how many portable toilet facilities are currently available for the detained migrants. A response was not immediately available.