Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reportedly asked for volunteers from agencies within the department to help with an “overwhelming” surge of illegal immigrants.
“Today I activated the Volunteer Force to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as they face a surge in migration along the Southwest Border,” Mayorkas penned in the email to employees on Monday, according to the Washington Times.
BORDER SURGE: TRUMP POLICIES ROLLED BACK
The report said Mayorkas pointed to an idea from the Trump administration to rally 900 employees to help contend with a 2019 surge, a move which was criticized by Democrats at the time. Volunteers aided with care for immigrants, such as driving them to Border Patrol stations, performing medical assessments, and taking migrants to hospitals.
“I also realize these are uncertain times and being away from home may be concerning. But today your colleagues need assistance carrying out their mission to help others, and DHS is going to support you while deployed,” Mayorkas wrote.
Recent reports show illegal border crossings are occurring at rates of between 1,000 and 4,000 people per day.
Mayorkas said last week that there was a “challenge” with incoming illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border but stopped short of deeming the situation a crisis.
“I think there is a challenge at the border that we are managing, and we have our resources dedicated to manage it,” he said.
The state of Texas has responded aggressively to border crossing reports, with Gov. Greg Abbott announcing he would commence “Operation Lone Star,” which “deploys Nat’l Guard + DPS Officers + air, ground, marine, & tactical border security assets to deny Mexican Cartels & smugglers the ability to move drugs & people into Texas.”
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The Washington Examiner contacted DHS, the White House, and Customs and Border Protection but did not immediately receive a comment.
