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Benjamine Huffman, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, issued a statement Thursday calling for an immediate federal response to combat an “actual or imminent mass influx.” illegal immigrants Arriving at the southern border.
In his finding, Huffman requested help from all 50 states to assist the federal government in immigration enforcement.
the secretary determined that “circumstances exist involving the administration of the immigration laws of the United States that endanger the life, property, safety, or welfare of residents” in all 50 states.
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Migrants deported from the U.S. position at the El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
“I also find that an actual or imminent mass influx of aliens reaching the southern border of the United States presents exigent circumstances requiring an immediate federal response,” he said. “So I’m asking for the assistance of state and local governments in all 50 states.”
The finding is effective immediately and expires in 60 days, unless extended. The 60 days will give officials time to deputize local and state police to help with immigration enforcement.
Some states Like California He will likely re-invigorate efforts to help federal immigration authorities. On Thursday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said local and state enforcement cannot be ordered to perform federal immigration duties.
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This split shows President Donald Trump and migrants at the southern border. (Getty Images)
“It is well established, through long-standing Supreme Court precedent, that the United States Constitution prevents the federal government from making the states enforce federal laws,” Bonta said in a statement. “While the federal government may use its own resources for federal immigration enforcement, the court ruled in Printz v. United States that the federal government may not impress in its service and at no cost to itself , law enforcement officers from all 50 states.” “
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has also relaxed its policy of limiting cooperation with immigration authorities.
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“This is not my job. I have too much to do,” LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill told 8 News recently.
In addition, the Department of Justice is pressuring federal prosecutors research the state or local Officials obstructing immigration enforcement.
As part of his finding, Huffman noted that more than 8 million illegal immigrants have entered the United States through the southern border In the last four years, while millions more evaded detection.
Migrants walk toward a border patrol van after crossing illegally and waiting to apply for asylum between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
“Over the past four years, our southern border has been overrun. Last month, the Border Patrol encountered 47,330 aliens along the southern border,” the finding states. “While this number is a significant reduction from the peak over the past four years, it is still too high. To demonstrate, in that month, the Border Patrol released at least 6,920 aliens on the southwest border under mandatory detention.”
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He cited the periods during the Biden administration When the numbers were “astronomically higher,” like in December 2022, when border agents released at least 140,306 illegal immigrants at the Southwest border.
“Whether the number is 140,000 or 6,000, that’s not the way our immigration laws are supposed to work. Aliens arriving at ports of entry or integrating are illegally screened.” Huffman said.
“Unless they are ‘clearly and beyond doubt entitled to admission,’ they are presumed to be detained until they are removed or granted discretionary relief such as asylum.”
In the early days of the Trump administration, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained hundreds of illegal immigrants, including those with criminal records.
In a 33-hour period between midnight on January 21 and 9 a.m., freezing and removal (ERO) operations detained more than 460 illegal immigrants from numerous countries that have Criminal histories of sexual assault, burglary, theft, aggravated assault, drug and weapons offenses, resisting arrest and domestic violence.
While multiple factors can be considered to determine an influx, Huffman said the magnitude of the problem was sufficient to make the finding.
“First, if the influx is not controlled, it is likely to increase. I have seen time and time again that failure to control the border increases the incentives for more aliens to try to enter illegally,” he said. “Secondly, the introduction of unsupervised aliens – at least some of whom will undoubtedly be criminals – is likely to increase criminal activity.
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“Much of the illegal entry at our southern border involves other criminal conduct, including human trafficking, drug smuggling and sexual assault,” he added. “Third, law enforcement agencies, particularly immigration enforcement agencies, face unusual and overwhelming demands. In particular, Immigration enforcement Agencies currently face a shortage of detention capacity needed to meet statutory detention obligations. “
