By Mona Austin
(The Slice): Protestors who want to rescind Title 42 were lined up in the streets of El Paso as Pres. Joe Biden arrived to Texas border town El Paso for the first time to asses the immigation crisis for himself on Sunday.
El Paso police officers arrested two Venezuelan migrants outside the Sacred Heart Church in downtown El Paso. Venezuela is among four countries that the Bidne Adminsitration announce last week were on the list for immediate expulsion. A camping site for those seeking entry, the church is a protective covering and place of hope for those who fear being sent back to their country of origin imminently.
In his first look at the area, the president spoke to local officials, looked at the 18 foot border wall and met at a migrant intake facility.
He met Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and local officials. Abbott, who has sent migrants to Washington by the bus loasd, handed a letter to Mr. Biden. The president had not read the letter when reporters inquired about its contents but it pertained to Abbott's recommendations on border management.
Patrol officers also awaited Biden before he walked along the wall lined area that seaprated El Paso from Juarez, Mexico. They showed the president how they search vehicles for contraband and drugs. Getting a handle of the drugs coming into the U.S. is a particular priority as the increase in fentanyl and opioid deaths has been linked to rafficking form the boder according to the Associated Press.
Speaking to workers at the El Paso Migrant Services Center that sees about 300-500 migrants per day on average (which sometimes peaks at about 1000 per day at times) he asked, “If I could wave the wand, what should I do?” Their response was not fully audible but a reporter on the scne said they thought it was about funding.
POTUS was shown packages with socks, shoes, clothes, etc. that are given to migrants after they are processed in throguh border patrol. They also receive transportation assistance.
Last week, the Biden Administration introduced the "CBP One" mobile app to conduct the orderly admissions of as many as 30,000 people from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela. This group of four countries ws targeted because thy have the largest number of people seeking entry into the U.S. Asylum seekers who are willing to participate in the legal process can schedule appointments to seek asylum can use the app.
Pres. Biden did not have a any direct encounters with immigrants during his 4-hour trip except for passing a dozen or so as he was driven along the border.
Below is a list of some individuals who greeted Pres. Biden in El Paso.
Greet #1
Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16)
Juan “Trey” Mendez, Mayor of the City of Brownsville, Texas
David Stout, El Paso County Commissioner
Iliana Holguin, El Paso County Commissioner
Betsy Keller, County Administrator for the County of El Paso
Jorge Rodriguez, Director of the Office of Emergency Management for the City & County of El Paso
Greet #2
Bishop Mark Seitz
Ruben Garcia, Annunciation House
Sister Norma Pimentel, Catholic Charities
Greet #3
Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security
Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16)
Rep. Vicente González (TX-34)
Oscar Leeser, Mayor of the City of El Paso, Texas
Richard Samaniego, El Paso County Judge
Marty McKellips, American Red Cross – El Paso Chapter
Susan Goodell, CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger
Majors Florian, Salvation Army – Local Chapter
Eloisa Estrada, Salvation Army – Local Chapter
John Martin, Director, Opportunity Center for the Homeless
Irene Valenzuela, Executive Director, County Community Services Department
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