U.S. stops flying migrant families across southern border states

(KYMA, KECY) - U.S. officials say they are still expelling families with children to Mexico without allowing them to seek asylum.

CBS News reported for several months, the government placed families seeking asylum in planes and transported them to El Paso and San Diego to expel them into Mexico. Advocates often criticized and argued that the government was looking for health excuses under Title 41 to deport asylum seekers back to Mexico.

But U.S. officials said that's not the case. The Biden administration has said it ends Trump's order authorizing the expulsions necessary to keep migrants from overcrowding facilities, potentially spreading COVID-19.

Advocates argue families were placed in facilities together and bussing them to other areas under Title 42. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tells CBS News he's taking a close look at the cross-border flights. Adding they can still expel families with children to Mexico without allowing them to seek asylum.

Officials released a statement to CBS News stating the following.

"The border is not open, and CBP is still operating under Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic. CBP is making every effort to remain within CDC guidelines and mitigate long periods of processing and holding to minimize potential exposure to our workforce, those in custody, and the community."

Sources say families crossing through Yuma, agents continue to transport them to San Diego and then expelled to Mexico.

During President Biden's first three full months in office, U.S. authorities along the border with Mexico summarily expelled more than 48,000 migrant parents and children traveling as families under the Title 42 authority.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not elaborate on why it discontinued flights, other than saying it's "based on operation needs."