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DEL RIO, Texas (Border Report) — The worldwide bridge in Del Rio, Texas has been closed since Sept. 17 after an encampment underneath the bridge of migrants — principally Haitians — swelled to nearly 15,000. The problem is drawing nationwide leaders: Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas visited the bridge on Monday, and U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz visited Sunday. Federal and state regulation enforcement have been surged to this rural border metropolis that finds itself on the crosshairs of a world humanitarian disaster. Learn updates from Border Report:

Learn extra

• Texas state trooper vehicle barrier still along border in Del Rio, DPS says only temporary fix
• Photographer behind controversial Border Patrol images speaks exclusively to KTSM
• Migrant camp along Texas border shrinks as removals ramp up
• Texas congressman says Biden handling of border could lead to ‘another 9/11 type event’
• Del Rio confrontation puts near century-old horseback Border Patrol unit in the spotlight
• Groups turn up pressure on Biden, Democrats to end deportations and make good on immigration reform
• Haitian migrants brought over from Del Rio, Texas being released to El Paso shelter
• Black, Hispanic lawmakers call for halt to Haitian deportation flights
• ‘Total chaos’: Gov. Abbott calls out Biden administration as 8K migrants remain in Del Rio
• Border Patrol tactics against Haitians in Del Rio draw outrage, protests
• Officials: Many Haitian migrants are being released in US
• EXCLUSIVE: Haitian migrants land at El Paso International Airport
• Homeland Security Secretary in Del Rio, Texas: ‘Our borders are not open’
• Migrants no longer crossing into Del Rio, Texas, Border Patrol Chief says
• CBP closes international bridge in response to migrant influx in Del Rio
• A ‘dire situation’ for over 12,500 migrants under the bridge in Del Rio, Texas
• 8,000 migrants await processing under international bridge in Del Rio, Texas

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, 11:20 a.m.:

The final remaining migrants departed a makeshift camp there simply earlier than midday native time on Friday, CNN reported Friday morning.

A CNN group captured pictures underneath the bridge of the ultimate two buses as they departed for U.S. Customs and Border Safety processing facilities.

Thursday, Sept. 23, 12:35 p.m.:

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas congressman Tony Gonzales believes the U.S. might face “one other 9/11-type occasion” because of the Biden administration’s dealing with of the southern border and Afghanistan.

The Republican congressman made the feedback Thursday morning throughout an look on Fox Information.

“There’s a nationwide safety occasion that’s simply brewing,” Gonzales mentioned when requested concerning the 1000’s of Haitian migrants who remain beneath a bridge in Del Rio, Texas.

Thursday, Sept. 23, 12:07 p.m.:

The Biden administration’s particular envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, who was appointed in July, wrote Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he was stepping down instantly “with deep disappointment and apologies to these looking for essential adjustments.”

“I can’t be related to the US inhumane, counterproductive determination to deport 1000’s of Haitian refugees and unlawful immigrants to Haiti, a rustic the place American officers are confined to safe compounds due to the hazard posed by armed gangs to day by day life,” he wrote. “Our coverage method to Haiti stays deeply flawed, and my coverage suggestions have been ignored and dismissed, when not edited to challenge a story totally different from my very own.”

The profession diplomat was identified to be deeply pissed off with what he thought of an absence of urgency in Washington and a glacial tempo on efforts to enhance situations in Haiti.

Thursday, Sept. 23, 11:32 a.m.:

Thursday, Sept 23, 11:17 a.m.:

In El Paso, activists have began gathering at San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso for a “March of Dignity,” demanding accountability from U.S. immigration authorities. The demonstrators plan to the Paso del Norte Worldwide Bridge after which maintain a press convention.

Thursday, Sept. 23, 10:34 a.m.:

Regardless of rising strain from grassroots teams and Democratic lawmakers, the U.S. authorities has no rapid plans to droop repatriation flights of Haitian migrants from a camp close to Del Rio, Texas.

The company on Thursday additionally suspended using horse patrols in Del Rio after pictures of U.S. Border Patrol brokers exhibiting aggressive techniques on Haitian immigrants surfaced, CNN reported.

The Division of Homeland Safety late Wednesday mentioned two flights taking Haitians again to their nation left Del Rio for Port-au-Prince. A 3rd flight took off from Del Rio to Cap Haitien, additionally on Wednesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 3:54 p.m.:

A gaggle of Democratic lawmakers and advocacy organizations are calling for a right away finish to deportation flights of Haitian migrants encamped close to Del Rio, Texas.

And so they’re demanding accountability from U.S. Border Patrol brokers on horseback allegedly “effecting violence” on migrants of coloration alongside the banks of the Rio Grande.

“I can’t be silent; it turns my abdomen in knots. […] I don’t need to see one other image of individuals being handled like animals simply due to crossing the border. U.S. values shouldn’t cease due to the colour of your pores and skin,” mentioned U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan.

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1:12 p.m.:

Extra brokers have been deployed to Del Rio Sector from across the nation to help with processing the migrants which are at the moment within the area. As soon as once more, I can’t thank the brokers sufficient for his or her dedication and arduous work.

— Chief Raul Ortiz (@USBPChief) September 22, 2021

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.:

DEL RIO, Texas (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott estimated there are 8,600 migrants nonetheless close to the worldwide bridge in Del Rio, and he mentioned throughout an replace Tuesday there’s “no intention to depart this location till it’s absolutely restored to complete management.”

He spoke from the bridge together with Texas Division of Public Security Director Steve McCraw, Texas Navy Division Adjutant Basic Tracy Norris and Brandon Judd, the Nationwide Border Patrol Council President.

Abbott requested President Joe Biden earlier within the week for an emergency declaration in response to the inflow of migrants in Del Rio, the place primarily Haitian immigrants have arrived, in accordance with KXAN information companion Border Report. Abbott mentioned whereas it could begin with affected counties alongside the border, it could possibly be expanded to your complete state if wanted.

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 9:57 p.m.:

U.S. officers say many Haitian migrants camped in a small Texas border city are being launched in the US, undercutting the Biden administration’s public statements that Haitians who enter the nation illegally face rapid expulsion, the Related Pres experiences.

One official says Haitians have been freed on a “very, very giant scale” in latest days, a lot of them with notices to look at an immigration workplace.

The officers spoke on situation of anonymity to The Related Press. The releases come regardless of an enormous effort to expel Haitians on flights to Haiti underneath pandemic-related authority that denies migrants a chance to hunt asylum.

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 4:33 p.m.:

Dozens of migrants upset about being deported to Haiti from the U.S. clashed with authorities whereas attempting to hurry again right into a airplane that landed Tuesday afternoon in Port-au-Prince, the Associated Press reported.

A safety guard closed the airplane door simply in time as some deportees started throwing footwear on the airplane, yelling, “That is abuse!” and “How is that this potential?!”

The group that included women and men had disembarked from the second of 4 flights that arrived on Tuesday, with some quickly shedding their belongings within the scuffle as police arrived. Amongst these attempting to get again on the airplane was Maxine Orélien, who blamed Haiti’s prime minister for the state of affairs.

Tuesday, Sept, 21, 3:20 p.m. :

The Republican congressman who represents Del Rio, Texas is urging President Joe Biden to situation a statewide emergency for Texas, as requested by Gov. Greg Abbott.

In a letter to Biden and FEMA, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzalez mentioned he writes in full assist of Abbott’s request in response to the 1000’s of migrants who’re at the moment awaiting processing underneath the worldwide bridge in Del Rio.

“Though the State of Texas has been proactive in committing its personal assets to this emergency, the federal authorities is primarily answerable for border safety, and federal engagement is essential to deliver reduction to our southern border,” Gonzales wrote. “This can be a nationwide safety situation and a humanitarian disaster that’s seen on a world scale. To forestall it from spiraling additional uncontrolled, I urge you to take rapid motion to approve Governor Abbott’s request for an emergency catastrophe declaration.”

To learn Gonzales’ letter, click here.

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2:56 p.m.:

Plane bringing Haitian migrants from Del Rio, Texas, proceed to land in El Paso, Border Report confirmed on Tuesday.

The migrants stepped off a white U.S. Coast Guard airplane round 10 a.m. in an space of the airport designated for cargo and personal flights. They had been positioned on a white unmarked bus that was later noticed within the car parking zone of a Border Patrol station in El Paso. Grownup women and men, in addition to some youngsters, could possibly be seen retrieving belongings from the bus on the station.

Tuesday, Sept, 21, 2:07 p.m.:

Drone footage filmed on Tuesday confirmed Haitian migrants crossing the Rio Grande, which separates Mexico and the U.S. on Tuesday as officers from each nations labored to maneuver them away from the border.

Just like the U.S. authorities, Mexico has begun busing a number of the migrants away from the realm.

Tuesday, Sept, 21, 10:20 a.m.:

The Biden administration granted non permanent protected standing for Haitians who had been already in the US, however that doesn’t apply to the folks massing close to Del Rio.https://t.co/59t1D8G8er

— Border Report (@BorderReportcom) September 21, 2021

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 10:14 a.m.:

Homeland Safety chief Alejandro Mayorkas says pictures of what seemed to be Border Patrol brokers on horseback rounding up migrants attempting to cross the southern border “horrified” him.

The Related Press reported Tuesday that Mayorkas instructed CNN that “any mistreatment or abuse of a migrant is unacceptable” and added, “the images that I’ve noticed troubled me profoundly.” However he wouldn’t explicitly say whether or not they mirrored mistreatment or abuse, deferring as a substitute to a promised investigation.

“That defies the entire values that we search to instill in our folks,” Mayorkas mentioned, including that the division will tackle the state of affairs “with full pressure” after the investigation is full.

Monday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m.:

The solar is setting on this border city and there isn’t a lodge room to be discovered for about 70 miles. With a inhabitants of simply 35,000, Del Rio’s numbers have practically doubled with 1,000 state troopers, and practically 1,000 extra Border Patrol, CBP, Nationwide Guard, HHS officers, volunteers, Coast Guard and others who’ve come because of the migrant disaster.

Monday, Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m.:

“Tons of” of migrants had been launched by federal authorities on Monday to the Val Verde Humanitarian Border Coalition, a faith-based nonprofit group that operates the one migrant shelter in Del Rio, Texas. Coalition Director Tiffany Burrow instructed Border Report that they had extra migrants, principally Haitians, launched to the middle than for the reason that surge started final week. Federal officers say they’re now transferring 3,000 migrants out of the area every day. Dozens boarded a constitution bus that picked them up immediately on the heart.

Monday, Sept. 20, 2:20 p.m.:

Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas turned the highest Biden administration official to go to the distant and beleaguered border city of Del Rio, Texas, on Monday. He toured the worldwide bridge the place 1000’s of migrants, principally Haitians, have amassed up to now week attempting to say asylum in the US. He declared an all-of-government method to deal with what he referred to as a “difficult and heartbreaking state of affairs.” This contains staff from the Division of Well being and Human Companies, U.S. Coast Guard, native regulation enforcement and even the San Antonio Fireplace Division.

He mentioned 600 DHS brokers from U.S. Border Patrol, and Customs and Border Safety have been despatched to the area and there are a number of horse patrol models working the riverine task, which he mentioned, “play an integral half in our safety response.”

The warning he had for anybody contemplating attempting to cross the Mexican border illegally: Don’t.

“In case you come to the U.S. illegally, you’ll be returned,” Mayorkas mentioned, joined by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz and CBP Commissioner Troy Miller. “This isn’t the best way to come back to the US.”

Monday, Sept, 20, 11:09 a.m.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requested President Joe Biden for an emergency declaration for the state of Texas in response to the migrant inflow, particularly in Del Rio, the place 1000’s of principally Haitian immigrants have arrived and amassed underneath the worldwide bridge.

In a letter to the president, Abbot mentioned the federal authorities has didn’t implement immigration legal guidelines didn’t halt unlawful crossings on a dam on federal property. That’s main, Abbott mentioned, to substantial burdens on native and state assets, in addition to federal assets. 

“Border safety is a federal accountability; nevertheless, in response to the present state of affairs, I’ve taken the suitable motion underneath state regulation by directing the execution of the state’s emergency administration plan and by declaring a state of catastrophe on Could 31, 2021, for a number of Texas counties throughout the state’s southern border,” Abbott’s letter reads. “This surge poses life-threatening dangers to residents of Val Verde County and is rapidly overrunning regulation enforcement and well being care and humanitarian assets which had been by no means meant for use on this capability. Even the restricted federal assets within the space are strained
by the big variety of people illegally crossing into Texas. I’ve decided that the catastrophe prompted from people unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border is of such severity that supplementary federal help is important to reduce the specter of catastrophe, save lives, and defend property, public well being, and security.”

Monday, Sept. 20, 10:29 a.m.

Members of the media are ready for Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to talk. Mayorkas can be in Del Rio to tour the worldwide bridge. There are a few dozen cameras arrange from the main information networks in addition to the Wall Avenue Journal. DHS tweeted within the final hour that Mayorkas will obtain an operational briefing on steps being taken to handle the state of affairs within the sector. He may even meet with state and native companions and maintain a press convention.

Monday, Sept. 20, 7:45 a.m.

Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas right now is scheduled to tour the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge the place federal, state and native troops are amassing to quell about 12,000 migrants, principally Haitians, who’re ready underneath the bridge to say asylum on this distant border city. Mayorkas will get an “operational replace” and maintain a 12 p.m. information convention, CBP mentioned.

Sunday, Sept. 19, 7:45 p.m.

Regulation enforcement presence has been considerably amped up in Del Rio, Texas. A financial institution of Texas state troopers and Nationwide Guard models now guard the doorway to the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge and have restricted media from parking on the facet of the street closest to the river. A further 400 U.S. Border Patrol brokers have arrived, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz mentioned. That is along with the 1,000 state troopers and Nationwide Guard despatched by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Sunday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m.

The Del Rio Worldwide Bridge has now been closed for 48 hours after U.S. Customs and Border Safety officers shuttered the port on Friday at 6 p.m. Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano right now mentioned the closure is hurting financially “all of our pocketbooks.” He mentioned the maquiladora business, specifically, “is shedding 1000’s of {dollars} per hour” because the shutdown continues. However he rapidly added that he believes it’s needed as a result of there have been fears that the 13,000 migrants who had amassed on Friday have tried “to storm over the bridge.”

Sunday, Sept. 19, 4:50 p.m.

Border Report correspondent Sandra Sanchez was detained for 45 minutes and threatened with arrest by navy police at Laughlin Air Pressure Base for taking pictures of the bottom signal from outdoors the bottom gates. The bottom, east of Del Rio, is the place flights started leaving on Sunday to repatriate migrants in Haiti. The Val Verde County Sheriff’s Division was referred to as and a deputy got here, however the navy police maintained Sanchez had illegally entered federal property and held her on the bottom. There isn’t a signal posted, nevertheless navy police instructed Sanchez that the bottom lands prolong north of the gate entry. Sanchez was lastly launched with none costs after requiring she delete the images and video of the skin of the gate.

Sunday, Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz traveled to the distant border city of Del Rio, Texas, and instructed a throng of media throughout a brief information convention “nobody has crossed since midnight,” with regard to migrants coming from Mexico: Ortiz, who was once stationed in South Texas, mentioned 3,300 migrants have been moved from the realm with the assistance of Division of Homeland Safety, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement brokers. He mentioned 3,000 extra are to be moved within the subsequent 24 hours.

Ortiz mentioned 12,662 migrants stay underneath the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge, down from 15,000 on Saturday.

Ortiz mentioned flights again to Haiti to repatriate migrants who don’t qualify for asylum started Sunday at 3:30 a.m.

Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano afterwards mentioned he was grateful for the federal response to his beleaguered neighborhood of 40,000. And he mentioned the Mexican metropolis of Acuna, throughout the Rio Grande, is now “stepping up its sport” to assist cease the circulate of migrants.

Sunday, Sept. 19, 12:30 p.m.

The Del Rio mayor has referred to as a 1 p.m. press convention on the base of the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge.

Sunday, Sept. 19, 11:45 a.m.

The Greyhound bus to San Antonio — one in every of solely two buses from Del Rio every day — simply departed with two dozen migrants on board, principally Haitians. Among the many vacationers was a child born on Wednesday in Del Rio at an space hospital. The newsborn’s mom had been residing underneath the bridge and was admitted into an space hospital when she went into labor. Val Verde Humanitarian Border Coalition Director Tiffany Burrows helped to carry the newborn and helped the household board the bus.

Sunday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.

Eighteen migrants, nearly all from Haiti, are getting assist with final minute bus tickets on the Stripes gasoline station in Del Rio, which doubles as this border metropolis’s solely bus station. The bus arrives at 11:30 a.m., one in every of solely two per day, and Santiago Pardo of Church World Service helps them ebook journey preparations on a laptop computer to New Jersey, Florida and different places. On Saturday native officers introduced the processing of asylum seekers had sped up, to 2,000 per day, in an effort to alleviate the lots residing underneath the worldwide bridge.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 8:10 p.m.

Learn Sandra Sanchez’s newest report on the inflow of troopers and Nationwide Guard to the border under.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 7:45 p.m.

A sudden storm blew into Del Rio, Texas, bringing winds and a few rain and dropping temperatures into the 70s, from triple-digits. It’s a welcome respite for everybody — regulation enforcement, media and the migrants who had been residing in sweltering situations underneath the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge for days in 100-degree warmth.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 6:15 p.m.

Felicia Rangel-Samponaro, co-director of the Sidewalk Faculty for Kids Asylum Seekers, tells Border Report that she is in Reynosa, Mexico, serving to Haitian migrants who’ve simply arrived in a caravan of 400 south of the city of McAllen, Texas. “I’ve 9 Haitian asylums seekers in my automotive,” she mentioned. “We’re surrounded by Mexican navy.” She mentioned different volunteers “and strangers” are additionally serving to to choose up the migrants from the street.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 4:45 p.m.

Migrant advocates in South Texas inform Border Report {that a} caravan of 400 migrants, principally Haitians, is at the moment coming into the Mexican border city of Reynosa, south of McAllen, Texas. Over 15,000 migrants, principally Haitians, reside underneath a world bridge in Del Rio, Texas, having crossed over the previous week from the Mexican border city of Acuña within the state of Coahuila. Officers say the migrants are a part of a caravan that entered by means of Panama months in the past and headed north.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 4:30 p.m.

In keeping with the Related Press, the Biden Administration is ramping up its efforts to return most of the Haitian migrants to their homeland. Border Report realized some flights will depart from Laughlin Air Pressure Base close to Del Rio.

The AP experiences: “A U.S. official instructed The Related Press on Friday that operational capability and Haiti’s willingness to just accept flights will decide what number of there can be. The official mentioned progress was being made on negotiations with Haitian authorities. The official mentioned the united stateswould seemingly fly 5 to eight planes a day, beginning Sunday, whereas one other official anticipated not more than two a day and mentioned all migrants can be examined for COVID-19. Each officers weren’t approved to debate the matter publicly and spoke on the situation of anonymity.”

Read the full report here.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 2:45 p.m.

Dozens and dozens of Texas state troopers descend upon the banks of the Rio Grande close to the bridge, despatched by Gov. Greg Abbott to help with migrant state of affairs. Many are seen standing behind the border wall underneath the shade of a tree in triple-digit warmth. Helicopters buzz above.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 2:05 p.m.

Border Patrol brokers rush a pregnant lady to emergency care from the bridge at the back of a truck. She was mendacity down and brokers had been on high of her attempting to assist her as they drove away.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 2:00 p.m.

Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano ended a press convention the place he introduced 1,000 state troopers had been being surged to the border metropolis. He mentioned the variety of migrants residing underneath the worldwide bridge is now 14,812, up from 12,500 a day earlier. Lozano was joined by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, a member of the Home Homeland Safety Committee who blamed the Biden administration and referred to as this a “flashpoint” in failed immigration coverage.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 12:30 p.m.

U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement refuse to unload two busloads stuffed with migrants on the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition after media photographed baggage being unloaded from the underside of 1 bus. The ICE official yelled at media, together with Border Report, repeatedly. Middle Director Tiffany Burrow appealed with the officers to unload the migrants — amount onboard unknown — however finally the buses left. It was unsure what would occur to the migrants. No migrants had been photographed.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m.

A number of shops within the Plaza del Sol Mall in Del Rio didn’t open as a result of many staff reside throughout the Rio Grande in Ciudad Acuña, within the northern Mexican border state of Coahuila. A number of different companies on this city of fifty,000 even have “CLOSED” indicators as many staff had been caught on both facet of the border when the worldwide bridge was closed by U.S. Customs and Border Safety at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m.

A supply truck full of donated items arrives on the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition which helps upwards of 200 migrants per day throughout this surge of migrants to the small city of Del Rio, Texas.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.

About 50 pro-Trump supporters gathered close to the closed Del Rio Worldwide Bridge protesting what they name “failed” U.S. immigration coverage by the Biden administration. The group held indicators urging the migrants on the bridge be despatched again. Some motorists honked and waved, though there weren’t many as a result of that part of the street is principally closed. After 90 minutes in high-heat, the group walked to the bottom of the bridge and took a photograph beside the “Welcome to Texas” signal and Texas flag.

Friday, Sept. 17, 9 p.m.

Motorists ready for the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge to reopen had been instructed to maneuver their automobiles as native regulation enforcement had been anticipating a truck with barricades coming from Laredo, Texas, to be delivered. The barricades would enable all regulation enforcement to be surged underneath the bridge — not atop it — Del Rio police instructed Border Report.

Friday, Sept. 17, 8:30 p.m.

Val Verde County Choose Lewis Owens visited the closed base of the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge and spoke with motorists and pedestrians telling them the bridge wouldn’t be reopening in a single day. He steered they drive 57 miles south to Eagle Cross, Texas, to enter Mexico within the metropolis of Piedras Negras. He mentioned the overall variety of migrants underneath the bridge is over 13,000.

Friday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m.

There’s a scramble for lodge rooms and lodging on this small city of fifty,000 because the worldwide bridge is closed. Many motorists inform Border Report they can’t afford a lodge. One teen boy on a bicycle mentioned his complete household lives in Acuña. He was attempting to return from his job in Del Rio in a warehouse when the bridge was closed earlier than sundown. An aged couple in a truck requested Border Report for instructions for get from the Mexican border metropolis of Piedras Negras to Acuña in the event that they crossed the bridge in Eagle Cross, Texas, 57 miles to the south of Del Rio. They mentioned they wanted to get dwelling and didn’t have cash for a lodge. They didn’t have a cellphone.

Friday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m.

U.S. Customs and Border Safety officers shut the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge resulting in the northern Mexican border city of Acuña throughout Friday night time rush-hour. Tons of of motorists and pedestrians, together with many on bicycles, wait on the facet of the freeway hoping the bridge will reopen. No rationalization was given to motorists and no warning was issued to locals earlier than the bridge was closed. Many vacationers instructed Border Report they had been attempting to return dwelling to Acuña after working the week in the US and had suitcases in hand. (BELOW: Motorists and pedestrians wait, some with suitcases, in shock because the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge was closed earlier than sundown. Photographs by Sandra Sanchez/Border Report.)

Friday, Sept. 17, 12 p.m.

Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano holds a press convention and declares he has signed an emergency declaration to close southbound lanes of the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge, forestall visitors to Mexico as a consequence of 11,500 migrants residing underneath the bridge, most from Haiti.

Friday, Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m.

Border Report walked over the Del Rio Worldwide Bridge to Acuña, Mexico, and noticed migrants constructing tents out of Carrizo cane from the banks of the Rio Grande, sleeping on packing containers and piles of trash.