CBS News
Mexico sets up checkpoint near San Judas Break after migrants cross into U.S. through border fence gap
The Mexican government recently set up a checkpoint near a U.S. border gap after migrants used the opening, known locally as the San Judas Break, to illegally cross the border into the United States, 60 Minutes confirmed.
Migrants have moved on and are now crossing the border at another spot four miles east of the San Judas Break, area residents who help migrants said. The gap migrants have moved to is harder to get to, requiring hours of walking. It’s not directly accessible by vehicle, whereas smugglers used SUVs to drop off migrants by the San Judas Break.
The San Judas Break had become internationally known. Over four days last month, 60 Minutes witnessed nearly 600 migrants — adults and children — come through the 4-foot gap at the end of a border fence 60 miles east of San Diego. Migrants passed through the gap by ducking under razor wire.
Jerry Shuster, who owns land near the gap, estimated he’d seen 3,000 migrants a week come through the gap. He said migrants began arriving on his property in May.
“They come through the hole like they’re coming to their own country over here,” Shuster previously told 60 Minutes. “And nobody do nothin’ about it.”
Shuster also said American border officials knew about the hole near his property and that he’d asked for it to be fixed.
“‘You gotta call Washington D.C,’ that’s what they say,” Shuster said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection told 60 Minutes that closing the gap was on the agency’s priority list, but it would require money from Congress. CBP said border patrol agents do not have legal authority to stop people from coming through gaps like the one by Shuster’s home. Agents can only arrest the migrants after they enter illegally
Some of the migrants who crossed into the U.S. at the San Judas Break, and others who are now crossing four miles east of the gap, came from China. Chinese migrants are the fastest growing group trying to cross into the U.S. from Mexico. Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 37,000 Chinese citizens were apprehended as they illegally crossed the border.
Migrants, undeterred by policies designed to reduce illegal entries, have been crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in unprecedented numbers. Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered roughly two-and-a-half million migrants at the southern border.
In a 214-213 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. The impeachment articles allege Mayorkas released migrants into the U.S. who should have been detained and that he lied to lawmakers about southern border security.
President Biden called the impeachment vote a “blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has targeted an honorable public servant in order to play petty political games.”
“Sadly, the same Republicans pushing this baseless impeachment are rejecting bipartisan plans Secretary Mayorkas and others in my administration have worked hard on to strengthen border security at this very moment — reversing from years of their own demands to pass stronger border bills,” Mr. Biden said Tuesday. “Giving up on real solutions right when they are needed most in order to play politics is not what the American people expect from their leaders.”
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CBS News
$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
