The federal government is flying illegal immigrants caught at California’s southern border out of state to avoid releasing them onto the streets before the November election, sharing San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond. Over 155,000 migrants were released in San Diego from September 2023 to June 2024. Buses now take migrants to Arizona, and planes fly them to Texas to ease overcrowding in California. The government’s actions aim to avoid negative optics ahead of the election.
Migrants were previously dropped off in San Diego but are now transported out due to overflow and limited resources. San Diego continues to be a popular crossing point, with various migrant apprehensions reported. The Border Patrol has faced criticism for its current policies, with attempts to address the crisis ongoing. Harris mentioned an immigration bill from 2021 could help millions of illegal immigrants gain citizenship.
Desmond emphasized the importance of vetting immigrants while acknowledging bipartisan concerns about the immigration system. The government’s current strategies seek to address immediate challenges at the border without risking negative political fallout. As a new group of migrants begins their journey towards the U.S., the ongoing border situation remains a critical national issue.