The Mayor of El Paso, Texas, Oscar Leeser, nearly walked out of a press conference with the microphone after being challenged on why the city delayed declaring a state of emergency with Title 42 set to expire on Wednesday.
During a press conference on Thursday, the mayor was pressed on why was delaying on making that call.
One reporter asked city officials about migrants coming up through manholes, even as recently as the day before.
TEXAS BORDER PATROL FACILITY OVERWHELMED WTIH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AS TITLE 42 EXPIRATION LOOMS
City Manager Mario D’Agostino confirmed that the city had seen videos of migrants coming up through manholes, running across the border then across the highway.
He explained the difficulty was figuring out how the migrants were getting through and then asking for an increase in patrols in those areas.
By having an increase in patrols, the city can then get a consensus of how many people are coming through by way of sewer and drainage systems, and to get them documented.
After being questioned about funding and the city’s handling, sometimes disagreeing with City Manager D’Agostino, Leeser moved to end the press conference.
After making his closing remarks, the mayor picked up the microphone and started to walk away.
City officials declared a state of emergency on Saturday, at which point Leeser said he could no longer keep residents safe.
El Paso, a town located along the U.S.-Mexico border, continues to witness an influx of migrants into its community. It is also expecting a surge of migrants when Title 42, a Trump-era immigration policy that reduced the number of asylum seekers the U.S. would allow under the COVID pandemic, expires on Dec. 21.
With the emergency declaration, Leeser is requesting additional resources and support from the state.
The request includes asking for support in staffing for feeding and housing migrants, resources to transport the migrants into other cities, and additional law enforcement personnel to help ensure the safety of residents and the migrants.
President Joe Biden has chosen not to continue the Title 42 rules and courts have allowed them to expire. Nineteen Republican states, including Texas, have sued to keep the rules in place.
