Border Czar Says Military Bases Could Aid Deportation Effort
Federal officials are considering the use of military bases to house and detain migrants as part of a broader strategy to address the surge in migrant arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas described the possibility of repurposing military bases as a ” supplemental option” to handle the growing number of migrants arriving at the border, amid reports that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are overwhelmed by the sheer volume.
Mayorkas told a Senate panel that the department is exploring various options to provide temporary housing and processing facilities for migrants, including using military bases, as well as partnering with faith-based organizations and private facilities.
The idea is part of a larger plan to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding at the border, where thousands of migrants – many of them seeking asylum from violence, poverty, and political persecution – are arriving daily. The situation has put a significant strain on CBP resources, leaving agents with limited capacity to process and detain migrants, often resulting in the release of individuals from custody prior to a court hearing.
While details on the plan are still being finalized, officials say that any potential use of military bases would be done on a case-by-case basis, with special considerations for vulnerable populations, including unaccompanied children and families with young children.
Mayorkas acknowledged that the plan is still evolving, but emphasized that the administration is committed to providing a humane and efficient way to process and care for those seeking refuge.