Gov't plans enforcement operation against migrants, but there's a glaring problem

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin exposed the inherent problem in a new migrant enforcement operation enacted before the end of Title 42.

What is the operation?

On Monday, Customs and Border Protection announced an enforcement operation — which would begin on Tuesday — targeting migrants in El Paso.

Beginning May 9, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers – along with law enforcement partners from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – will conduct a targeted enforcement operation in El Paso, Texas. Immigration enforcement agents will process individuals for vetting and placement into Title 42 expulsion or Title 8 removal proceedings, as applicable.

El Paso has been overwhelmed with new waves of migrants traveling to the U.S. ahead of the expiration of Title 42.

But what is the problem?

Melugin, who has covered the border crisis extensively, pointed out the problem with the government's announcement: it gives migrants a "heads up." The press release, then, essentially renders the enforcement operation "worthless."

"From a strategic standpoint, it is puzzling that DHS would announce this publicly via a press release which essentially gives these evaders/gotaways a heads up that they are coming," Melugin said.

"Already hearing from frustrated Border Patrol agents saying the operation will now be worthless," he added.

The National Border Patrol Council, a border patrol union, had the same reaction.

"Nothing like publicly announcing that dangerous people will be arrested, while warning them ahead of time exactly where to run and hide to avoid arrest," the union said. "This entire operation is a sad joke — another pandering PR stunt. Serious law enforcement leaders don’t behave this way."

With Title 42 ending on Thursday, migrants are flooding the U.S. because they know it will become more difficult to expel them quickly. Immigration authorities apprehended more than 10,000 migrants on Monday and Tuesday each, breaking previous single-day records, according to Melugin.

And it's only expected to get worse.

According to Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas), Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei has reported that a caravan of 80,000 Venezuelan migrants is currently traveling north to the U.S. Giammattei allegedly tried to contact the White House about the caravan, but no one answered.

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