DHS Sets Gag Order on Migrant Apprehension Numbers at Border Ahead of Potential End to Title 42

Breitbart Texas reviewed a Monday directive to all Customs and Border Protection managers which gags them from releasing migrant apprehension statistics through social media accounts or directly to the public without the express approval of the Department of Homeland Security. The directive precludes Border Patrol managers from releasing any interim arrest statistics or stories as the decision over the potential end Title 42 enforcement now sits before the Supreme Court.

The source, not authorized to speak to the media, says the message is intended to curb routine disclosures of migrant apprehensions near the southern border. These are generally provided by Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agents via social media and comments to journalists. The unprecedented directive was circulated on Monday and took immediate effect.

Take a look at what the #BorderPatrol agents in El Centro Sector have been up to in the last 7 days!

With just 17 days until #Xmas, USBP agents are still submitting names to the naughty list pic.twitter.com/dHJ2KnJ6iQ

— USBP Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino (@USBPChiefELC) December 8, 2022

The order was sent under the title “DHS OPA guidance on social media coordination for the lifting of Title 42.” The order was later clarified to impose a ban on the direct communication with outlets or platforms regarding the release of migrant apprehension statistics without DHS approval. DHS OPA is the acronym for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Public Affairs.

pic.twitter.com/QZIA0tmkee

— Chief Patrol Agent Chris T. Clem (@USBPChiefYUM) December 6, 2022

The impact of the order is already evident from the lack of routine posts on social media accounts from several Border Patrol sectors. The content typically offers weekend or weekly recaps of migrant crossing statistics and other notable enforcement actions.

Outstanding work from our Tucson Sector agents last week. Here are the statistics covering December 4 to December 10. #HonorFirst pic.twitter.com/bPeI9kRJKk

— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) December 17, 2022

Prior to the policy change, on December 12, El Paso Chief Patrol Agent Peter Jaquez provided a weekend recap revealing a three-day average of more than 2,460 migrants entering the city.

Breaking! Over the weekend, the El Paso Sector experienced a major surge in illegal crossings, with a 3-day average of 2,460 daily encounters, primarily through the downtown area of El Paso. We will continue to keep the public informed as the situation evolves. pic.twitter.com/V2pOO6Y31N

— Peter Jaquez (@USBPChiefEPT) December 12, 2022

On Tuesday, Jaquez tweeted a 48-hour recap that was limited to 57 migrant apprehensions related to organized smuggling schemes interdicted by Border Patrol agents within the sector.

In the past 48 hours…
Across the #ElPaso Sector, our diligent agents:
• foiled 12 smuggling schemes
• apprehended 57 migrants from those schemes
• 15 human smugglers apprehended @CBP pic.twitter.com/NK1msp6SrF

— Peter Jaquez (@USBPChiefEPT) December 21, 2022

The disparity in the breadth of information between the two tweets is stark. The CBP source is alarmed by the policy’s intent to remove highly visible images and real-time statistics from the public domain. The source told Breitbart Texas the new directive will allow DHS to control the narrative as the looming border crisis is expected to worsen after Title 42.

The source further emphasized that future apprehension data releases could be delayed and presented in such a manner to minimize the impacts of the crisis.

In the Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector, where migrant apprehensions are currently second only to the El Paso Sector, routine weekly social media postings concerning migrant apprehension data have also ceased.

Del Rio Weekly Rewind
•10,789      Apprehensions
•21              Large Groups (largest was 704)
•3,208       Known Gotaways
•17 Rescues
•1                 Deceased due to drowning
•43             Vehicle Smuggling Loads pic.twitter.com/CXBQT3DzYg

— Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens (@USBPChiefDRT) December 12, 2022

Chief Jason Owens tweeted a weekly recap on December 12, informing of nearly 11,000 migrant apprehensions, including one single migrant group of more than 700. No weekly migrant apprehension statistics have been posted as of Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Breitbart Texas reached out to CBP to inquire about the lack of postings for the latest week and advised that such disclosures would be delayed.

Randy Clark is a 32-year veteran of the United States Border Patrol.  Prior to his retirement, he served as the Division Chief for Law Enforcement Operations, directing operations for nine Border Patrol Stations within the Del Rio, Texas, Sector. Follow him on Twitter @RandyClarkBBTX.

Bob Price contributed to this article.

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