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Border security

Biden admin explores bussing migrants to US towns hours beyond border

Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas is trying to relieve pressure on border towns

By Anders Hagstrom Fox News
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President Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is drafting plans to drop off migrants in American towns hours past the U.S.-Mexico border, Republican lawmakers say.

The potential policy is one way DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is seeking to ease the influx of migrants to U.S. border towns, according to a report from the New York Post. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, sent a letter to Mayorkas expressing his concern about the government sending waves of migrants to San Angelo, Texas, a town he represents.

"San Angelo is a welcoming community, but the locality has not volunteered for this mission, nor are they responsible for the burdens of the border crisis," Pfluger wrote in the letter.

"This situation is a direct result of DHS’ shortsighted policies that encourage more illegal immigration and the agency’s failure to establish operational control of the southern border," he added.

BORDER PATROL ARRESTS OF MIGRANTS ON TERROR WATCH LIST AT SOUTHERN BORDER SPIKE UNDER BIDEN

  • McAllen border asylum
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    Asylum seekers arrive at a COVID-19 testing site after being processed by U.S. immigration officials in McAllen, Texas, U.S., on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. A federal judge temporarily blocked Texas state troopers from enforcing the governors order to stop anyone who isnt in law enforcement from transporting migrants along the Texas border. Photographer: Veronica G. Cardenas/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Getty)

  • Migrants Texas
    Image 2 of 4

    ROMA, TEXAS - MAY 05: A migrant family sits after being processed on May 05, 2022 in Roma, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's "Operation Lone Star" directed approximately 10,000 members of the National Guard to assist law enforcement with patrol and border apprehensions. The operation is expected to receive another $500 million to further secure the southern border. Towns along the border continue making preparations as Title 42 is scheduled to end on May 23rd. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

  • Border Patrol agent at station in McAllen Texas
    Image 3 of 4

    FILE PHOTO: A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent monitors single-adult male detainees at Border Patrol station in McAllen, Texas, U.S. July 12, 2019.   (REUTERS/Veronica G. Cardenas//File Photo)

  • A bus of migrants arrive in Washington, D.C.
    Image 4 of 4

    A third bus of migrants who crossed the U.S. border into Texas arrived in Washington, D.C., near the U.S. Capitol, Friday, April 15, 2022. (Timothy Nerozzi/Fox News Digital)

Pfluger added that he only found out about the DHS plans after local law enforcement in San Angelo informed him.

MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS AT SOUTHERN BORDER HIT NEW RECORD IN MAY AS NUMBERS KEEP RISING

The potential bus campaign comes months after Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent busses of migrants to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. in protest against the Biden administration's immigration policies.

"Texans demand and deserve an aggressive, comprehensive strategy to secure our border—not President Biden's lackluster leadership," Abbott said in a statement at the time. "As the federal government continues to roll back commonsense policies that once kept our communities safe, our local law enforcement has stepped up to protect Texans from dangerous criminals, deadly drugs, and illegal contraband flooding into the Lone Star State."

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To date, Abbott has sent roughly 65 busses of migrants to the U.S. capital, amounting to more than 2,000 people.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

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