Mexican government busses migrants to US border as illegal immigration becomes top election issue

The Mexican government has begun transporting migrants to the U.S. border if they have an appointment, in a controversial move using a phone app rolled out by the Biden administration that allows migrants to enter the U.S. on probationary leave.

Mexico’s National Institute of Migration posted the video of what it called the first bus carrying “foreigners” from Tapachula in the south of the country, near Guatemala, to Reynosa, near the U.S. border. It said the migrants will attend their appointments scheduled through the CBP One app. It is part of an “Emerging Safe Mobility Corridor” launched by the Mexican government last month.

The CBP One app was expanded during the Biden administration to allow up to 1,450 migrants per day to book an appointment at a U.S. border crossing to be released into the U.S. if they meet certain conditions. The app also allows them to upload documents in advance of that appointment.

US TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL JALISCO OVER FENTANYL TRAFFICKING

This video shows migrants being transported in a bus by the Mexican government. (RIZIV)

The Biden administration has said the app is a key part of its migration strategy, which includes increasing funding to the border and expanding “legal” migration routes. The app has also been used to fly up to 30,000 citizens from four countries directly to the U.S. after it is approved.

But Republicans have accused the administration of abusing humanitarian release, which is supposed to be used on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public interest. They have said the administration is letting in migrants quasi-legally, and have pointed to figures suggesting that more than 95% of migrants who make an appointment are admitted.

‘MOST CUREABLE’ MEXICAN CARTELS OPERATE IN ALL 50 STATES, BRINGING TERRITORY WARS TO US: DEA

The Mexican government announced in a press release last month the plan to transport foreigners to the U.S. border as part of a “safe mobility corridor.” Mexico said it would grant a 20-day temporary visa to those with a confirmed CBP One appointment, and provide them with transportation and food.

This video shows a Mexican official addressing migrants. (RIZIV)

The app recently came under fire in a report from the DHS inspector general, which found, among other things, problems with the app’s screening process.

“While CBP uses biographic and biometric information provided to CBP One to determine whether arriving noncitizens have adverse histories, it does not use the information to identify suspicious trends as part of its pre-arrival screening procedures,” the report said.

Meanwhile, immigration has become a major election issue after a three-year crisis at the southern border that repeatedly broke records. The Biden administration has called for support for a bipartisan Senate bill that would increase funding for the border, blaming the crisis on Congress’ failure to provide that funding.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

DHS also points to a sharp drop in apprehensions since President Biden signed an executive order allowing authorities to temporarily suspend the entry of illegal immigrants across the border. Officials say that has led to a 50 percent drop in apprehensions since then. It also says it has deported more than 131,000 individuals to 144 countries, including 420 international deportation flights. Officials say they have also tripled the percentage of noncitizens processed through Expedited Removal to Mexico while in custody.

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have blamed the crisis on administration policies and the reversal of what they see as successful Trump-era policies. Trump has vowed to end the parole policy and launch a large-scale deportation operation if elected in November.