U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande City station on Saturday encountered two large groups of illegal immigrants crossing into the United States, in a possible sign of a deepening crisis at the border.
CBP agents first responded to a report of a “large group” of illegal immigrants near Las Lomas, Texas – about five miles southeast of Rio Grande City, according to U.S. Customs Border and Protection.
The agents apprehended 134 illegal immigrants – 128 of whom were identified as family members. The agents determined the individuals were from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
Just a few hours later, RGC agents responded to another report of illegal immigrants crossing the border near La Grulla – about 16 miles further southeast from Las Lomas. The agents reportedly encountered 113 illegal immigrants comprising families and unaccompanied alien children (UAC).
The majority of individuals in the second group were also from Central America, but 17 were identified as Romanian nationals. Seven UACs were traveling among the group, CBP said.
The back-to-back migrant groups come amid a recent influx of migrants at the southern border – something that the Biden administration has refused to label a “crisis.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday that the Biden administration recognizes “this is a big problem,” but she blamed the issue on former President Donald Trump.