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Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas appeared to place some of the blame on migrants for the “dangerous journey” to the United States after at least 53 migrants were found dead in an abandoned tractor-trailer on the outskirts of San Antonio on Monday.
During Mayorkas’ appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday morning, he said the incident was a result of what can happen when migrants make the “dangerous journey” to the United States.
“So tragically we saw in San Antonio, Texas, one of the possible tragic outcomes of this dangerous journey, and so many people don’t even make it that far into the hands of exploitative smugglers,” Mayorkas said.
He also said the Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly warned people against taking the “dangerous journey.”
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Body bags lie at the site where a tractor trailer was found with multiple dead bodies, Monday, June 27, 2022, in San Antonio. ((AP Photo/Eric Gay))
“We have said repeatedly and continue to warn people not to take the dangerous journey,” Mayorkas added.
Mayorkas also said that in these cases, migrants receive “false information from channelers” that puts their lives in danger.
“So these migrants are getting false information from smugglers. They put their lives, their savings in the hands of these exploitative organizations, these criminal organizations that don’t care about their lives and only want to make a profit,” Mayorkas said.
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In this aerial view, members of law enforcement investigate a tractor trailer on June 27, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. At least 46 people, believed to be migrant workers from Mexico, were reportedly found dead in an abandoned tractor trailer. Over a dozen victims were found alive, suffering from heatstroke, and taken to local hospitals. (Photo by (Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)
Sunday’s comments come after Texas Governor Greg Abbott attacked President Biden, saying “these deaths” were his fault.
Abbott said in a June 27 tweet that “these deaths are Biden’s.”
“At least 42 people have been found dead in a truck carrying migrants in Texas. Those deaths are at Biden’s expense. They are the result of his deadly open border policy. They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law,” Abbott said.
In this aerial view, members of law enforcement investigate a tractor trailer on June 27, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. At least 46 people, believed to be migrant workers from Mexico, were reportedly found dead in an abandoned tractor trailer. Over a dozen victims were found alive, suffering from heatstroke, and taken to local hospitals. ((Photo by Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images))
As of Tuesday, several survivors were described as in critical condition with injuries ranging from brain damage to internal bleeding, according to the Mexican consul general in San Antonio.
Court documents state the truck is registered to the 100 block of Arnold Drive in San Antonio.
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In this aerial view, members of law enforcement investigate a tractor trailer on June 27, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. At least 46 people, believed to be migrant workers from Mexico, were reportedly found dead in an abandoned tractor trailer. Over a dozen victims were found alive, suffering from heatstroke, and taken to local hospitals. (Photo by (Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)
A total of four people have been charged in connection with the deadly incident. Two people, Juan Francisco D’Luna-Bilbao and Juan Claudio D’Luna-Mendez, were charged as illegal immigrants in possession of firearms. At least one of the accused is an American citizen.
Fox News has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Fox News’ Paul Best and Daniel Wallace contributed to this report.
Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and on Twitter @asabes10.
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