After authorities found an 18-wheeler carrying up to 100 people left behind in San Antonio, including at least 46 people who died, Texas Governor Greg Abbott accused President Joe Biden and his immigration policies.
In a tweet, Abbott said Monday night’s discovery rests entirely on Biden. “At least 42 people found dead in migrant trucks in Texas. These deaths are on Biden,” Abbott said, before officials brought the death toll to at least 46.
The Republican governor too criticized Biden because they aren’t doing enough to secure the southern border.
TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER CHAOS: AT LEAST 46 MIGRANTS FOUND IN SAN ANTONIO WITHIN 18-WHEELER, REPORTS SAY
“They are the result of his deadly open borders policy. They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law,” Abbott added.
Several other officials blamed Biden’s immigration policies for the incident, including: Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who called the discovery “horrific” and “wrong”.
“How many more people have to die before the Democrats have a da…” he asked, before referring to Biden’s border crisis.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican who represents Texel, also tweeted about the incident.
“Today it was 102 degrees in San Antonio. Imagine being left in an 18 wheeler left to die – 42 people died today – will @AliMayorkas even call their names?” the lawmaker said, referring to Alejandro Mayorkas, who had been nominated by Biden to lead the US Secretary of Homeland Security.
“The death toll rises to 46 with another 16 in hospital, including 4 children. Lord, when will the nightmare end,” the Republican added in another tweet.
Gonzales also appealed to Mayorkas resigns.
sec. Mayorkas also responded to the incident on Twitter.
“I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of life today and pray for those who are still fighting for their lives,” said Biden’s government official. “Far too many lives have been lost as individuals — including families, women and children — make this perilous journey.”
He also said ICE is investigating people smugglers, calling it “insensitive individuals who have no respect for the vulnerable people they exploit and endanger themselves in to make a profit”.
He promised to hold those responsible accountable and take further action to disrupt smuggling networks.
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San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who is a registered independent, also generally referred to the blame for border policies.
“We know that there are more and more volumes” [of migrants] in the past 6 months, 12 months related, you know, to policy,” Nirenberg said, “but our job is, again, to provide humanitarian aid.”
Nirenberg called Monday night’s discovery “nothing short of a horrific human tragedy”.
“The plight of migrants seeking refuge is always a humanitarian crisis, but tonight we are dealing with a horrific human tragedy,” the mayor added Monday evening, speaking near the site where the tractor-trailer was found.
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“This is a very different situation than we have seen,” he continued. “It’s not our job to ask why, our job is to ask how we can help.”
Officials did not say whether the persons were being transported from Mexico or elsewhere.
Last week, Republican delegate Andy Biggs described the situation at the US-Mexico border as “overrun”, “out of control” and “dangerous”. He also predicted that more deaths would soon be discovered.
“There will be deaths,” the Arizona Republican told Harris Faulkner on June 21 in “The Faulkner Focus.”
“It’s more than the monthly total sent to Mexico to await their asylum process, which by the way will be fake in most cases. That’s what’s happening at the borders. It’s now being crossed,” added Biggs.
“All that horrific inhumanity that happens when you don’t secure your border,” he explained.
At least 16 people, including four children, were found alive in the tractor-trailer and hospitalized. The Department of Homeland Security is investigating the incident.
Lorraine Taylor and Elizabeth Heckman of Fox News contributed to this report.