Border crossings near record levels again after months-long lull – National & International News – THU 21Sep2023

Border crossings near record levels again after months-long lull.

Biden administration extends protections for Venezuelan migrants.

Baton Rouge police unit probed for torturing suspects in “brave cave”.

NATIONAL NEWS

Border crossings approach record levels again after months-long lull

When the Title 42 border restrictions ended in May, many expected a massive influx of migrants to follow. This mass migration did not materialize, though migrants have continually crossed the border in smaller numbers each day. Some initially credited this increase in migrant traffic to the implementation of new border policies featuring a carrot-and-stick approach.

Under the new rules, asylum seekers from certain countries were encouraged to apply for asylum in the US from their home countries. Additionally, anyone who had arrived at the southern border after crossing a third country (such as Mexico) without having sought protection in that third country would not be eligible for asylum in the US. Asylum seekers arriving at official border crossings were also encouraged to use a new app called CBP One.  

It appears that some migrants and migrant traffickers were unsure what the new policies would mean for them. Now that the dust has settled, they are now crossing once again in near record numbers. This week at the Texas border town of Eagle Pass, over 2,700 crossed on Tuesday, and another 3,000 on Wednesday. Eagle Pass’ mayor has declared a disaster as the city struggles to deal with the new arrivals.

In response, the Biden administration is sending thousands of troops to the border and expanding some migrant accommodation sites. The administration is also expanding its surveillance of migrants awaiting asylum proceedings in the US. Biden has asked Congress for $40 billion in additional funds to secure the border and make the situation more manageable. The White House took the opportunity to blame Congress for 30 years of inaction in creating much needed immigration reforms that would make it possible to both secure the border and process new arrivals more humanely.

Biden administration extends protections for Venezuelans

The White House has extended Temporary Protected Status to about 470,000 Venezuelans who had arrived in the country as of July 31st this year. This brings the total number of Venezuelans benefiting from this status in the US to over 700,000. Asylum seekers with TPS are eligible to apply for work permits.

Extending this protection is in part due to the US’ ideological opposition to Venezuela’s leadership. Officially, the US considers anyone fleeing Venezuela to be victims of political persecution. While some are political enemies of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the vast majority have come to the US seeking better economic opportunities. Decades of harsh US sanctions on the country have crippled Venezuela’s economy.

However, the timing of this announcement also coincides with demands from governors and mayors in various states (mostly Democrats) who have been calling on the White House to allow more asylum seekers to work. Asylum seekers are eligible to apply for work permits, but mandatory waiting periods mean this could take 6 months or more. After months of appeals to the White House fell on deaf ears, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (a Democrat) floated the idea of issuing state-level work permits for migrants. Such an action could bring state law into conflict with the federal government. Granting TPS to the tens of thousands of Venezuelans in New York may be an olive branch of sorts from Biden.

Baton Rouge police unit probed for torturing suspects in “brave cave”

A street crimes unit in Baton Rouge has come under scrutiny after credible allegations that they beat and tortured suspects in an empty warehouse which the unit dubbed “the brave cave”. Two people have come forward and filed lawsuits alleging egregious mistreatment by members of this special enforcement unit in this facility, which apparently belongs to the city.

A suit filed by Jeremy Lee claims he was beaten by Street Crimes officers at the site. When police eventually brought him to the parish jail, jail officials refused to take him until he received medical treatment. Hospital workers found Lee to have abrasions on his head as well as a cracked rib. There are no cameras in the warehouse and therefore no footage of officers beating Lee. However, officials in the mayor’s office have seen police body camera footage of Lee sitting on a wooden chair with his hands bound in the empty warehouse.

A woman, Ternell Brown, says that officers took her to the site, forcibly strip searched her and subjected her to a cavity search with a flashlight. They ultimately let Brown go without arresting her.

The city’s mayor responded to the allegations by closing the warehouse. The chief of police has also disbanded the Street Crimes unit pending an investigation. The chief says he has asked for help from the FBI in investigating the situation, but the FBI will neither confirm nor deny whether they are investigating the matter.

In the meantime, two officers have been placed on administrative leave. A third, the son of a deputy chief, resigned.

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