Haitian illegal immigrants have been attacking and biting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during deportation flights this week in an effort to stop their repatriation to Haiti.
In one incident, two Haitians left their seats and bit multiple ICE officials while the plane was preparing to depart Laughlin Air Base in Del Rio, law enforcement officials said, according to the Washington Examiner on Wednesday.
“[The Haitians] all realized they were going back to Haiti and lost it,” a senior federal law enforcement official told the Examiner.
The plane was forced to return from taxiing down the runway as a result of the attacks, and the two illegal immigrants are now facing federal assault charges.
NBC reported that deportees also assaulted the pilots of a separate flight after it touched down in Port-au-Prince. The Haitians also injured three immigration officers.
“On Tuesday, Sept. 21, some adult migrants caused two separate disruptions on the tarmac after deplaning in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Haitian crowd control officers responded to both incidents and resolved the situations,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement. “ICE fully respects the rights of all people to peacefully express their opinions, while continuing to perform its immigration enforcement mission consistent with our priorities, federal law and agency policy.”
In another incident, a group of Haitians briefly hijacked a bus that was being used to transport them to San Antonio for a deportation flight, the Examiner reported. After temporarily taking control of the bus, the Haitians fled, but were later recaptured by law enforcement officers.
President Joe Biden’s administration hasn’t provided the number of Haitian illegal immigrants who have been deported or released into the United States interior, despite being pressed repeatedly by reporters. Last weekend, more than 12,000 illegal immigrants were camped out under the international bridge in Del Rio after crossing into the United States.
During a White House press briefing with Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday, one reporter noted that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has “been asked twice” but hasn’t provided an answer on the number of Haitians that have been deported, processed, and released.
“I certainly understand why you’re asking and understand why people have been asking Sec. Mayorkas. Those are numbers that the Department of Homeland Security would have the most up to date numbers,” Psaki responded.
“But why is it so hard to keep track of a simple number like that? Why can’t you give it, why can’t you give it – it’s been two days now that he’s been asked that,” the reported pressed.
Psaki again dodged the question, saying, “I’m certain they will provide it. It’s an absolutely fair question to ask and I’m certain he just wanted to have the most up-to-date numbers to provide.”
Earlier this week, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Psaki if migrants who walk across the border are being asked to show proof of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.
“That is the policy for people who fly into the country,” Doocy noted. “So, if somebody walks into the country right across the river, does somebody ask them to see their vaccination card?”
“Well, let me explain to you again, Peter, how our process works. As individuals come across the border, and they are both assessed for whether they have any symptoms, if they have symptoms, the intention is for them to be quarantined, that is our process,” Psaki said.
“They are not intending to stay here for a lengthy period of time. I don’t think it’s the same thing. It’s not the same thing,” she added.
According to a new report on Wednesday, thousands of Haitian migrants are being released into the United States, despite the Biden administration’s claims that thousands of those camped out under the international bridge in Del Rio, Texas faced immediate deportation.
