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Tuesday, September 21, 2021

'Horrific': Biden administration's handling of Haitian migrants at US border is shameful


'Horrific': Biden administration's handling of Haitian migrants at US border is shameful


Our view: Haitian migrants' only 'crime' was to hope that America would live up to its values and promises, that huddled masses could still find refuge here.

The photographs, taken Sunday by Paul Ratje on the banks of the Rio Grande in Texas, show U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents on horseback chasing down migrants from Haiti, a nation crippled by earthquakes, hurricanes, political violence and extreme poverty.

Desperate migrants – carrying food and water for their families and themselves – scrambled away from the agents' charging horses. 

At least one man, according to news reports, fell trying to avoid an agent's whip. (Federal authorities said the agents used long reins).

Think about that: An agent, carrying with him the authority of the U.S. government, riding down a defenseless, frightened Black man. 

This, in America, in 2021. Not 1821.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents on horseback try to stop Haitian migrants from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande in Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2021.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents on horseback try to stop Haitian migrants from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande in Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2021.  Show less 
PAUL RATJE/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The issues surrounding unauthorized migration across our nation's border with Mexico are undeniably complex. And the rush of Haitian migrants in recent days has presented Biden and his team with a difficult set of choices.

Even so, the scenes that unfolded at the border Sunday are indefensible, no matter your politics or your position on border policy. 

A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent on horseback tries to stop a Haitian migrant from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande in Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2021.
A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent on horseback tries to stop a Haitian migrant from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande in Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2021.  Show less 
PAUL RATJE/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

As White House press secretary Jen Psaki seemed to acknowledge Monday: "I've seen some of the footage. I don't have the full context. I can't imagine what context would make that appropriate. … I don't think anyone seeing that footage would think it was acceptable or appropriate."

U.S. Border Patrol agents deter Haitians from returning to the U.S. on the bank of the Rio Grande after migrants crossed back to Mexico for food and water on Sept. 19, 2021.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters that CBP is coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard to move migrants to other processing locations for removal. The agency has moved approximately 3,500 migrants "over the last few days and 3,000 today," he said.  Show less 
OMAR ORNELAS, EL PASO TIMES VIA USA TODAY NETWORK

None of it is acceptable nor appropriate.

Yet, Biden's team already has sent hundreds of desperate migrants back to Haiti. Thousands more will soon follow, as the administration rushes to mount an airlift that will ferry people back, not to safety, but to chaos and fear.

Their only "crime" was to hope that America would live up to its values and promises, that huddled masses could still find refuge here.

But this is America in 2021. It is Joe Biden's America.

It is our America.

USA TODAY's editorial opinions are decided by its Editorial Board, separate from the news staff and the USA TODAY Network. Most editorials are coupled with an Opposing View, a unique USA TODAY feature.

To read more editorials, go to the Opinion front page or sign up for the daily Opinion email newsletter. To respond to this editorial, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

ஹெயிற்றியன் அகதிகள் மீது சவுக்கடி நடத்திய அமெரிக்க குதிரைப்படை

 A Border Patrol officer is swinging what appears to be a lariat while trying to stop Haitian migrants from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande near the Acuna Del Rio International Bridge

A Border Patrol officer is swinging what appears to be a lariat while trying to stop Haitian migrants from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande near the Acuna Del Rio International Bridge

The devastating images were captures as migrants were trying to return to their encampment from Mexico, where they were buying much-needed supplies

The devastating images were captures as migrants were trying to return to their encampment from Mexico, where they were buying much-needed supplies

U.S. border patrol officers cut the way of migrants asylum seekers as they are trying to return to the United States

U.S. border patrol officers cut the way of migrants asylum seekers as they are trying to return to the United States

Migrants crossing the Del Rio river to head back into the US after gathering supplies in Mexico are confronted by Border Patrol officers on horseback

Migrants crossing the Del Rio river to head back into the US after gathering supplies in Mexico are confronted by Border Patrol officers on horseback

At one point, a Border Patrol officer appears to hit a man, sending him falling back into the water.

Many of those migrants were reportedly already camped out in a makeshift tent city under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas. They had crossed back to Mexico to purchase water, food and diapers in Ciudad Acuña.

Psaki was asked on Monday if there would be consequences against the officers involved. 

She didn't say whether they'd lose their jobs but suggested 'they should never be able to do it again.'

The Biden administration has been grappling with an influx of migrants since the Democrat took office in January.  

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the images 'horrific' on Monday

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the images 'horrific' on Monday

Migrants began flowing back into the Mexican side of the southern border on Monday from Del Rio, Texas as the Department of Homeland Security plans to ramp up deportation flights to seven per day.

Video emerged today of scores of mostly Haitian migrants making the trek back across the Rio Grande River to Mexico from the US after three flights full of migrants from the US landed in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Sunday.

Up to 15,000 migrants set up camp under and around the Del Rio International Bridge, using a dam area to cross between the Mexico and US side of the border. 

The massive encampment of migrants has brought up several issues, including health concerns in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic as DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas revealed they are not vaccinating migrants. 

Mayorkas said Sunday that he will visit the southern border, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who was put in charge of the border crisis, have remained silent on the recent developments of mass migration among Haitians.

'I will be traveling to the border myself,' Mayorkas told CNN, adding he speaks regularly with the White House and President Joe Biden about the issue. 

Other officials can be seen reaching down to violently grab migrants by the sleeve or collar

Other officials can be seen reaching down to violently grab migrants by the sleeve or collar

Many of those migrants were reportedly already camped out in a makeshift tent city under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas. They had crossed back to Mexico to purchase water, food and diapers in Ciudad Acuña

Many of those migrants were reportedly already camped out in a makeshift tent city under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas. They had crossed back to Mexico to purchase water, food and diapers in Ciudad Acuña

Haitian migrants are seen crossing the Rio Grande valley on Monday as thousands more are camped out under a bridge near Del Rio, Texas

Haitian migrants are seen crossing the Rio Grande valley on Monday as thousands more are camped out under a bridge near Del Rio, Texas

U.S. Border Patrol agents deploy a boat into the Rio Grande river on the U.S. side of the bank as migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. cross the river into Mexico

U.S. Border Patrol agents deploy a boat into the Rio Grande river on the U.S. side of the bank as migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. cross the river into Mexico

Migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. grab onto a rope to guide them through the current while crossing the Rio Grande river into Mexico near the International Bridge between Mexico and the U.S.

Migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. grab onto a rope to guide them through the current while crossing the Rio Grande river into Mexico near the International Bridge between Mexico and the U.S.

The Haitian migration crisis is exacerbated by those who left Haiti after the 2010 earthquake to settle in South and Central America who are now desperate to leave there due to the coronavirus pandemic and economic collapse. 

At that time many flew to Ecuador where there's no visa requirements – then proliferated to Brazil and Chile.

They are now leaving there and making their way up to Mexico anyway they can.

Images from Del Rio, Texas began emerging over the weekend where thousands of mostly Haitian migrants used a dam to cross between Mexico and the US On Sunday, three removal flights of migrants arrived back in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The developing crisis forced the Biden administration to close six crossing points along the border and send in at least 400 troops to help stop the flow and round up migrants for deportation.

Haitian migrants set up a massive makeshift camp under the Del Rio International Bridge in just the last weeks, with the number swelling from around 400 to 14,534 in just one week, according to Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano.

DHS revealed over the weekend that it would ramp up and accelerate its removal efforts of migrants as Biden continues to face widespread criticism for his handling of the humanitarian and national security crisis at the southern border.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will visit the border again, he said Sunday

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will visit the border again, he said Sunday

Biden and Harris have not visited the US side of the Rio Grande Valley – where the majority of the migration crisis has taken place.

Neither the president or vice president have addressed the latest developments or the new DHS strategy to deport these migrants.

On Monday Psaki was asked about a double standard in letting Afghan refugees resettle in the US but forcefully turning away Haitian refugees at a time when the country is dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake and a presidential assassination. 

'Our immigration policy is not about one country or discriminating against one country over another. We want to end that and we want to put an end to what we saw over the last four years,' she said, referring to the Trump administration.

Psaki added that Haitians are encouraged to apply for temporary protected status to remain in the US.

She also said the federal government was working with Haiti's government to help the country recover and accommodate the Haitians being sent back.

'We have also been working to provide a range of assistance, working closely with officials from the government, as individuals are going back to Haiti to provide a range of financial assistance, to provide technical assistance,' Psaki said. 'That's on-going.'

Source: Daily Mail UK-On Line

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