By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
An estimated 9,037 illegal immigrants trying to seek asylum are currently camped under the Del Rio International Bridge.
Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano and Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez led a group of reporters from around the country to a spot about a hundred yards from the bridge encampment Thursday.
Lozano opened the press conference by speaking about the situation before taking questions.
Lozano said he met with port of entry officials Friday when there were about 150 immigrants under the bridge waiting to be processed by Border Patrol agents who have set up a temporary station there.
“On Monday afternoon we had about 2,200 individuals that were waiting to be processed . . . On Wednesday, at 11 o’clock in the morning, there were about 4,000, and then by the close of the day yesterday, there were about 5,600 individuals, about 7 o’clock at night, and this morning when I asked for a number, it was 8,200. I got an update right before this press conference, and we were at 9,037,” Lozano said.
The mayor said as many as 10,000 more illegal immigrants may cross into Val Verde County in the very near future.
Lozano said the current encampment has created its own mini-economy, with individuals crossing back and forth between Ciudad Acuña and the encampment to bring food, drink and other amenities.
The mayor said Monday immigrants were waiting seven days to be processed.
“Now, we’re looking at 10 to 14 days if we’re lucky,” he said.
Lozano said he is also concerned about the security threat posed by having such a large groups of persons waiting to be processed. He also said the large group could pose a health concern because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Lozano then took questions from media members, who first asked if he has reached out to the federal government for assistance.
Lozano said he put out his first urgent call to the new Biden administration in February, while the city and county were wrestling with the aftereffects of a historic winter storm, noting he made the call after it was learned that 15 migrants would be released into the community.
“I told them at that time that we needed a plan, and I’ve been demanding a plan and the other local stakeholders have been demanding a plan, and I gave them this message on Feb. 16, 2021, and now it’s Sept. 16, 2021, seven months later, and look what’s happening, and nobody can say we didn’t warn them,” Lozano said.
The mayor said no one from the Biden administration has reached out to him to discuss the current situation.
Martinez also spoke about the migrant situation and took questions from reporters.
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