McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — An expedited asylum system recently announced by the Biden administration to reduce illegal entries on the Southwest border will have “deadly impacts” on migrants, migrant advocacy groups said Thursday.

“These efforts go against the ideals that represent the best of our country and will devastate and have potentially deadly impacts for people seeking safety,” Maribel Hernandez Rivera, director of policy and government affairs for border and immigration for the ACLU said during an online news conference held by the Welcome With Dignity Campaign on Thursday.

The Biden administration last week announced a new rocket docket process that would be implemented in five cities to quickly screen and remove unqualifying migrants who cross the border seeking U.S. asylum.

The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice said Thursday that the new Recent Arrivals Docket process will more expeditiously resolve immigration cases for non-citizen single adults who arrive between legal U.S. ports of entry. Cases are to be completed within six months, or 180 days, rather than the upwards of five years that cases currently take.

The current backlog of U.S. immigration cases is now over 3.5 million, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, of Syracuse University, which tracks cases.

But representatives from immigration organizations said the problem lies in a lack of resources at the border and the administration should instead increase the number of asylum personnel, judges, officers, as well as increase options and legal pathways for “Dreamers” and asylum-seekers, instead of reducing the time they have to plead their cases.

Blaine Bookey, legal director for the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, says the new policy allows an asylum officer to request on-the-spot evidence to prove they qualify for U.S. asylum, including paperwork and documents many do not have when they travel north to cross the border.

“At this stage, people are exhausted and traumatized from their journeys. They almost always haven’t had a chance to get legal help,” Bookey said.

The Biden administration says this rule will allow asylum officers to determine whether to apply certain bars, or tests, to asylum-seekers.

Cases that could trigger an asylum officer to request immediate information and data could include suspicion that the asylum-seeker is a criminal or terrorist; in persecution of others; committed a serious crime outside of the United States; or is a danger to security.

“While the administration says this rule is meant to improve safety and security at the border, in reality, it will make no one safer,” Bookey said.

Advocates say that credible fear interviews will be truncated and deportations could be fast-tracked under this new plan.

“Our immigration system requires smart, humane solutions, so families and individuals can seek asylum and access safety. Fast-tracking people back to danger is not a solution,” said Melina Roche, Welcome With Dignity campaign manager. “We must work to optimize processes for people seeking safety, not send them back to dangerous conditions.”

A bipartisan Senate border bill expected to be taken up in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, would do even more damage, they say.

“It would cause permanent damage to the U.S. asylum system and leave immigrant communities at risk,” said Robyn Barnard, senior director of refugee advocacy for the nonprofit Human Rights First.

But the House Homeland Security Committee Republicans, in a report released Thursday, urged tougher measures at the border by the Biden administration and predicts nationwide encounters could hit 10 million since Biden took office by the end of this fiscal year in September.

It also refers to the asylum interviews scheduled via the CBP One app as a “mass-parole scheme,” in which more than 590,000 people have scheduled appointments since January 2023, according to the report.

The report also says that “95.8 percent of all inadmissible aliens who scheduled appointments through the app from January-September 2023 were ultimately released into the United States on parole.”

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — Travel this Memorial Day weekend could hit record levels and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are suggesting international border travelers to apply for online tourist permits.

Applications can be made on the CBP One app.

“With summer travel around the corner, the port encourages those needing travel permits to apply for them online via CBP One and be cognizant of border wait times to choose your preferred bridge crossings accordingly,” said CBP Laredo Port Director Albert Flores said in a statement. “By staying updated with these resources, you can better navigate your travel to ensure a smoother border crossing experience.”

A list of acceptable forms of ID to enter the United States can be found here.

Agriculture items, liquor and money in excess of $10,000 must be declared at U.S. ports of entry.

Wait times remain long at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge, in Laredo, where a drainage project is being constructed and lanes have been shifted. CBP officials urge finding alternate routes or build extra time into travel.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - The abandoned floors of a federal courtroom on Matamoros Street could soon be used for mock trials.

On Monday, May 20, during the city council meeting, members discussed a memorandum of understanding that is in the works where events will be held at the old federal courthouse in front of Jarvis Plaza.

According to Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino, in the coming weeks, the city will hold a mock trial where students from different schools will be able to participate along with residents from the Hamilton Hotel that live just a few blocks away from the federal courthouse.

Mayor Trevino said that this project is an opportunity to educate not only our students but also community members on the role the judicial system plays in our everyday lives.

“This is an opportunity for them to go, and go into a mock trial, and be exposed on what the reality is in the courtroom,” said Mayor Trevino. “Nobody has had experience in the courtroom unless they go for trial, and sometimes you don’t get the opportunity to do that, but we need to educate our youth so they can be aware of how it works.”

The Kazen Project has already held mock trials for students of various schools.

The initiative at the old courthouse will be taking place this coming July.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - A driver and several undocumented individuals are in custody following a car chase in north Laredo.

The incident was reported on Wednesday, May 22 just before 4 p.m. after a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper noticed several individuals get into a Hyundai vehicle near Father McNaboe Park.

The driver sent troopers on a chase down Loop 20 and McPherson.

At the same time, a Border Patrol vehicle and a Chevrolet Cruiser crashed into each other.

Troopers were eventually able to catch up to the Hyundai near Shiloh and McPherson.

The driver, identified as Jose Alfredo de la Cruz, 19, was arrested and seven undocumented immigrants were turned over to Border Patrol.

At this time, it is unclear if the chase and the crash involving a Border Patrol vehicle are connected.

The case is under investigation.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - A heat advisory is in effect for Laredo and surrounding areas and Laredo fire officials are urging residents to protect themselves and their families from the sweltering conditions.

Last summer, the Laredo Fire Department was called out to roughly 70 heat related incidents with ten heat related deaths reported in Webb County.

With temperatures expected to exceed the triple digits this week, fire officials are urging community members to stay hydrated, wear protective clothing, and take frequent breaks when working outside or conducting any activities in the sun.

Silvestre Rodriguez Jr., the assistant Laredo Fire Chief said it’s also important that we check on elder family members and our pets.

“Check on your loved ones, make sure that you take care of, not only your loved ones, check your pets as well,” said Rodriguez. “It’s very hot right now and so make sure they have water and make the accommodations for everybody to be ready for that. I know that temperatures are increasing in the next week, so it’s very important that we take those measures.”

Rodriguez adds that residents can cool off at any of the city’s public libraries and recreation centers during their hours of operation.

For more information on their hours, click here.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) -A car chase that started near a Laredo park ends with a Border Patrol vehicle rolled over and three migrants in custody.

The incident was reported on Wednesday, May 22 just before 4 p.m.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, it started after a trooper noticed several suspected undocumented individuals getting into a Hyundai vehicle near Father McNaboe Park, which prompted a chase down Loop 20 and McPherson.

At the same time, a Border Patrol vehicle and a Chevrolet Cruiser crashed into each other.

According to the Laredo Fire Department, a Border Patrol agent was taken to Doctors Hospital along with a 36-year-old man who was found near the scene. Both appeared to be in stable condition.

As for the undocumented people, DPS states they were able to detain three migrants as well as the driver.

It’s unclear at this time if the Border Patrol agent was responding to the call associated with the undocumented people.

DPS is investigating a possible connection between the two incidents.

Below is the previous version of the story:

A rollover crash involving a Border Patrol vehicle is reported in front of a north Laredo hospital.

The crash was reported on Wednesday just before 4 p.m. near McPherson and Bob Bullock right in front of Doctors Hospital.

According to Laredo Police, the Border Patrol vehicle crashed under the overpass going eastbound.

Police believe the crash was possibly due to a chase with DPS.

Drivers are being advised to expect delays.

This is a developing story and we’ll have more details as they become available.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - A man who allegedly robbed a local eight-liner business at gunpoint is caught.

Laredo Police arrested Raimundo Rodriguez, 51, and charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The incident was reported on Monday, May 20 at around 10:30 a.m. at the 600 block of Market Street.

According to reports, Rodriguez allegedly went into the eight-liner business, called King Fu, pulled out a gun on two employees, and demanded money.

Rodriguez then allegedly left the business with a garbage bag holding roughly $3,000 in cash.

Investigators were able to go through the area and check some of the surveillance footage until Rodriguez was identified along with a company vehicle that he was believed to have been driving.

Once his identity was verified, a warrant was obtained, and he was arrested.

Investigators also found some of the money, as well as alleged evidence of the crime.