Texas Hospitals to Monitor Undocumented Migrants

Border Patrol agents in the Del Rio Sector reported a significant increase in migrant apprehensions last week, with over 1,700 migrants encountered, including six large groups. Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley shared on social media that agents apprehended 1,747 migrants who crossed the border illegally, a rise from the previous week's total of 1,537. This uptick contrasts with a dramatic decline in migrant encounters over the past year, with July 2023 seeing just over 7,200 apprehensions compared to 24,506 in July 2022. In the first nine months of Fiscal Year 2024, which began on October 1, 2023, Del Rio Sector agents encountered 222,273 migrants, marking a 24 percent decrease from the previous year's total of 293,344. This reduction is attributed to intensified enforcement actions by the State of Texas, particularly Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star, which has effectively closed many key border crossing areas in Eagle Pass, Texas. Governor Abbott has also mandated hospitals to collect data on the immigration status of patients, claiming that Texas bears the financial burden of the Biden administration's border policies. This executive order requires public hospitals to track the costs associated with undocumented migrants, a move critics argue could lead to racial profiling and discourage migrants from seeking medical care. Opponents, including Democratic Representative Sylvia Garcia, have condemned the order as "social engineering," warning it could intimidate immigrant communities. Analysts emphasize that while care is available regardless of citizenship, inquiries about immigration status may deter individuals from seeking necessary medical assistance.