Republicans have slammed President Joe Biden's handling of the border crisis after incredible drone images revealed up to 1,000 migrants being held by the Border Patrol in Mission, Texas, after they crossed into the U.S.
The footage shows hundreds of migrants stopped by Border Patrol agents sitting in a long queue under Anzalduas Bridge on the southern border between Mexico and the U.S.
'An absolute catastrophe from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and House & Senate Democrats,' said Republican and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik in response to the video.
The drone footage, which showed hundreds of migrants sat in large groups in the shade of the bridge, was posted by Fox news correspondent Bill Melugin.
NEW: This is the largest group of migrants we¿ve ever seen being held by Border Patrol under Anzalduas Bridge in Mission, TX. Looks like it could be up to 1,000 people. We can only get a look at the area with our drone. There¿s a popular Rio Grande crossing area nearby. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/AsAygsO966
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) August 1, 2021
NEW: This is the largest group of migrants we¿ve ever seen being held by Border Patrol under Anzalduas Bridge in Mission, TX. Looks like it could be up to 1,000 people. We can only get a look at the area with our drone. There¿s a popular Rio Grande crossing area nearby. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/AsAygsO966
The footage shows scores of migrants stopped by Border Patrol agents standing in a long queue under Anzalduas Bridge on the southern border between Mexico and the U.S.
The drone footage, which showed hundreds of migrants sat in large groups in the shade of the bridge, was posted by Fox news correspondent Bill Melugin
He tweeted: 'This is the largest group of migrants we’ve ever seen being held by Border Patrol under Anzalduas Bridge in Mission, TX.
'Looks like it could be up to 1,000 people. We can only get a look at the area with our drone. There’s a popular Rio Grande crossing area nearby.'
Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar, from Texas, said that agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security as well as local communities living near the southern border are 'overwhelmed' by the influx of migrants at the southern border.
Cueller, who has written to Biden asking him to appoint a new 'czar' to tackle the surge of unaccompanied migrants, shared images of scores of migrants sat underneath Anzalduas Bridge at the weekend.
The president had named VP Harris as border czar in March - but it took her until last week to launch a five-point plan of policies that she claims will tackle causes of migration from Central America.
Cueller tweeted: 'Our DHS agents, & border communities, are overwhelmed & must be prioritized. DHS will again encounter over 180,000 immigrants at the southern border during July—adding to the more than 1M immigrants that have arrived at the southern border in FY21. Something has to change!'
Meanwhile, Republican Representative Chip Roy shared similar pictures and tweeted that Border Patrol agents are 'overwhelmed' as they running out of space to process the migrants.
Roy tweeted: 'U.S. Customs and Border overwhelmed. No room to process illegals inside, so have to wait outside under bridge. Just in 24 hrs in 2 stations, encountered over 3,400. Currently holding over 7,000 illegals with some 5,000 waiting.'
DailyMail.com has contacted Border Patrol for a comment on the video footage.
Cueller, who has written to Biden asking him to appoint a new 'czar' to tackle the surge of unaccompanied migrants, shared images of scores of migrants sat underneath Anzalduas Bridge at the weekend
The footage comes as Republican Governor Greg Abbot on Saturday claimed the Biden administration has caused a 'constitutional crisis' after the U.S. Justice Department sued Texas to prevent troopers from stopping cars carrying migrants.
Abbott issued the statement after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Justice Department had filed a lawsuit over an executive order the governor signed on Wednesday.
The Executive Order GA-37 tasked the Texas Department of Public Safety with stopping any vehicle suspected of carrying migrants and reroute them to their origin or impound them, claiming that they pose a risk of spreading the COVID-19.
Abbott's order came even after he ended many the Lone Star State's protective measures amid the pandemic, even going so far as to prevent local governments from enforcing mask mandates and vaccine requirements.
'The Biden Administration has created a constitutional crisis between the federal government and the State of Texas,' Abbott said on Friday.
'This stems from the Biden Administration's refusal to enforce immigration laws and allow illegal immigrants with COVID-19 to enter our country.'
U.S. officials reported this month that they had encountered 55,805 members of families with children in June, an increase of 25 per cent compared to the previous month. That figure still remains far below the high of 88,587 in May 2019.
Gov. Greg Abbott claims the Biden administration has caused a 'constitutional crisis'
Kamala Harris's five-pillar plan for tackling the root causes of immigration mixes short-term and long-term measures
As she unveiled her plan, Kamala Harris wrote: 'In Central America, the root causes of migration run deep—and migration from the region has a direct impact on the United States. For that reason, our nation must consistently engage with the region to address the hardships that cause people to leave Central America and come to our border.'
Addressing economic insecurity and inequality - investments in creating business-friendly environment and strengthening work force skills, as well as building in measures to protect from the economic damage of climate change
Combatting corruption - through sanctions on corrupt figures and strengthening watchdogs, while offering protection to vulnerable young people, victims of violence and other marginalized populations.
Promoting respect for human rights - as well labor rights and a free press by working with governments to strengthen legal protections, hold perpetrators responsible and ensure people have access to information from independent sources,
Countering and preventing violence - and extortion and other crimes by strengthening law enforcement and encouraging cooperation between regional governments
Combatting sexual violence - by working with governments and civil society to prevent and prosecute violence and support victims
Abbott said that Texas is being 'overrun and overwhelmed' by a record-high influx of migrants - and alleged that 'cartels and smugglers profit off the chaos.'
'Not only that, but this crisis also extends beyond the border as deadly drugs like fentanyl infiltrate our communities,' Abbott said.
'This already dangerous situation continues to deteriorate as the Biden Administration knowingly imports COVID-19 into Texas from across the border—willfully exposing Texans and Americans alike.'
He added: 'President Biden has a duty and a responsibility to protect and uphold our nation's sovereignty, yet he has long-since abdicated his authority to do so.'
Vice President Harris admitted on Thursday that her latest strategy to tackle causes of migration from Central America will not deliver rapid results as she launched a five-point plan of policies that promised action on human rights and climate change but avoided detailed targets or deadlines.
She said the U.S. alone cannot combat the factors that force people to leave Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador - such as corruption and violence - but claimed the United Nations, Japan and Mexico had all agreed to back the push.
The plans involve working with the private sector to try to accelerate change in Central America.
Officials said it amounted to a 'hard nosed' approach.
But even Harris admitted its limitations.
'We will build on what works, and we will pivot away from what does not work,' she wrote in a two-page letter to launch the strategy.
'It will not be easy, and progress will not be instantaneous, but we are committed to getting it right.'
The administration has faced pressure for months as the number of people arriving at the southern border hits historic highs.
Harris was tapped in March to take on one of the president's most daunting portfolios when she put in charge of tackling the factors behind surging illegal immigration.
Part one involves tackling economic insecurity and insecurity in the region. Part two takes aim at corruption by promoting the rule of law.
Pillar three covers human rights, labor rights and a free press, while pillar four aims to combat violence, extortion and other forms of organized crime, such as trafficking networks.
The fifth pillar deals with 'combating sexual, gender-based, and domestic violence,' according the fact sheet.
The White House also published what it called a 'Collaborative Migration Management Strategy,' which Biden ordered in February to map out how the U.S. will work with other counties.
Again, it summarizes previously announced initiatives.
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