As tensions at the southern border continue, Texas Governor Gregg Abbot has deployed a fleet of public safety cars to create a “steel wall” keeping the migrants back. This move is the latest in the escalating efforts to help contain the overflow of migrants at the U.S. border.

Officials estimate that at its peak, between 12,000 and 14,000 migrants sought refuge underneath the International Bridge in the city of Del Rio this past weekend. The influx of migrants was so vast that the Del Rio Port of Entry has been closed to keep what has been called a “makeshift refugee camp” from growing. The migrants who have been seeking refuge under the bridge have weathered triple-digit temperatures and a lack of access to food, water, and sanitation.

Leaders across the nation have called this latest surge the result of word of mouth and social media messages reiterating Biden’s reversed course from Trump’s crackdown on immigration. Others have described that the rise in mostly Haitian migrants is fueled by recent natural disasters and a country in turmoil following the assassination of its president.

This past week Customs and Border Protection officers saw the highest point of Haitian migrants entering the country. Last month, nearly 7,000 Haitian migrants were apprehended at the border, a 30% jump from July numbers. Although natural, political, and economical stressors are fueling Haitian migrations, Haitians still account for a small number of migrants, roughly 4%, arrested at the border.

DHR Responds to Crisis

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas went to the border earlier this week to witness the crisis firsthand. There, he sent a clear message to migrants seeking to enter: “If you come to the United States illegally, you will be returned. Your journey will not succeed and you will be endangering your life and your family’s lives," Mayorkas said. "This administration is committed to developing safe, orderly, and humane pathways for migration. This is not the way to do it."

Mayorkas also took a stance on the notion that U.S. borders have somehow become less regulated under Biden. "We are very concerned that Haitians who are taking this irregular migration path are receiving false information that the border is open or that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is available,” Myorkas explained. "I want to make sure that it is known that this is not the way to come to the United States. That is false information.”

Amid Mayorkas’ clear message, hundreds of Haitians have been deported back to their home country. DHS spokesperson Marsha Espinosa shared that the department will "secure additional transportation to accelerate the pace and increase the capacity" at which Haitian migrants are deported. Haitian officials also declared that at least 10 flights of deported migrants have arrived in Haiti. On some occasions, turmoil has broken out on the flights from angry migrants who felt betrayed by false immigration promises.

U.S officials shared with ABC News that starting Wednesday, the department plans to have at least seven daily deportation flights taking off from the U.S. It's unclear how the department decides who gets to stay and who gets deported. However, the administration is likely to continue with previous methods of deporting single adults and releasing family units. Biden has also kept in place Title 42, a public health law exercised throughout the Trump presidency for rapid expulsion.

Haitians Set to Be Released Into U.S.

While DHS has touted a message of deportation for those seeking to enter the country illegally, the administration has come under fire in recent days for going back on its word. At least two U.S. officials who wanted to remain anonymous shared with ABC News that a “very, very, large scale” of migrants have been allowed to enter into the U.S. with notices to appear before an immigration office within 60 days. This method helps alleviate the strain on immigration processing as appearing in front of an immigration office is much quicker than appearing in front of an Immigration court.

Still, it remains unclear what the criteria are for migrants being released into the U.S. However, families with children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable members of the population are likely to take priority. The Biden administration has also made it clear that it will not deport unaccompanied minors on humanitarian grounds.

Unlike previous border crossings that are typically condemned by the right, this recent wave of Haitian migrants has resulted in backlash from both Republicans and Democrats. Earlier this week, images surfaced of CBP officers on horseback corralling Haitian migrants crossing the river. Footage appears to show the CBP officers using their horses’ reins as makeshift whips to lash at Haitians to prevent them from crossing. Reports have indicated that some of the migrants crossing the river were going back into Mexico to purchase food to bring back to family at the makeshift camp underneath the bridge.

Mayorkas shared that he was “horrified” as the images circulated online. In an interview with CNN, Mayorkas explained “any mistreatment or abuse of a migrant is unacceptable.” He added, “The pictures that I’ve observed troubled me profoundly.”

Vice President Harris, who has largely remained out of the spotlight, shares the same sentiment. “Human beings should never be treated that way. And I’m deeply troubled about it,” Harris shared with reporters.

On Tuesday, Mayorkas stated that the CBP officers who were on the footage corralling the migrants have been put on “administrative duties” while an investigation takes place.