(NewsNation) — President Joe Biden announced a series of executive actions Tuesday on the border 3 1/2 years into what many have called a crisis.
NewsNation obtained memos indicating the new policy will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on June 5. One memo to Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated that migrants will still have the option to claim fear and seek asylum — a legal right that officials worry could be exploited.
The plan will set caps on how many people can enter the country and restrict unauthorized entries. Those on the frontlines say it will only worsen issues with “gotaways,” or those who evade police.
Sheriffs throughout Texas are pulling out all the stops — roughly 150 miles from the border to keep people who don’t want to be caught, from smuggling and being smuggled into the United States.
Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe has had his fair share of issues since 2021. Despite that, he saw the northern counties’ needs and sent deputies to act as a force multiplier. Agents deal with several pursuits each day as suspected smugglers refuse to stop for law enforcement, leading to high-speed chases.
Entering Medina County means immigrants have made it through several different law enforcement agencies. The sheriff there says they have become the last line of defense for America, and the executive action won’t change things for those going after people evading law enforcement.
“You got people from all over the different parts of the globe there to help,” Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown said. “This is a storm that we’re in. And it ain’t going away. It’s not like tomorrow the sun comes out and everything’s OK. So it’s a constant storm. And it’s not a victimless storm, either. There’s so many victims involved that are being human trafficked.”
Wilson County Sheriff Jim Stewart said that despite their efforts, law enforcement might not be moving the needle.
“We’re not making a dent in it, probably,” he said. “But if you don’t at least try, it’s basically wide open and free and we’ve got to try. Somebody has to do something.”
Since Biden took office, House Republicans say the number of known gotaways has skyrocketed by more than 390%, citing at least 1.7 million gotaways since 2021. So far this year, sources say there have been more than 185,000 gotaways.
Unaccompanied minors also remain a loophole of concern, with cartels potentially exploiting Biden’s stance against family separation. Over 30,000 unaccompanied children are being flown in monthly.
NewsNation has been there to watch the cartel operate in broad daylight, sending people across the border illegally, jumping walls, trekking through miles of rough terrain, and ultimately disappearing into the U.S.