Texas Gov Abbott Demands Investigation Into NGOs ‘Aiding Illegal Crossings’ At Border
Jennie Taer on December 14, 2022
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is demanding an investigation into nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) he says could be aiding and abetting the surge in illegal immigration at the southern border, according to a Wednesday statement.
Abbott sent a letter Wednesday to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton instructing him to investigate the groups’ roles in the border crisis. His concern lies with the continued record levels of illegal immigration and an even larger surge anticipated with the end of Title 42, a public health policy used to quickly expel certain illegal immigrants, expected on Dec. 21.
Some NGOs are aiding illegal migrants by helping them travel to reach the interior U.S., according to the Heritage Foundation, which tracked illegal immigrants through cell phone data in several areas of the border. For example, Doctors Without Borders hands migrants maps showing them the way to the border, the Daily Caller News Foundation discovered recently while reporting in Guatemala.
Border Patrol releases masses of illegal migrants to NGOs that can help coordinate travel, provide food and hand out clothes for those awaiting the adjudication of their asylum claims.
“There have been recent reports that non-governmental organizations may have assisted with illegal border crossings near El Paso,” Abbott’s letter stated. “We further understand NGOs may be engaged in unlawfully orchestrating other border crossings through activities on both sides of the border, including in sectors other than El Paso.”
CBPencountered a record of more than 2.3 million migrants in fiscal year 2022. More recently, the attention has been on El Paso, Texas, where migrant encounters are surpassing 2,000 each day.
