UPDATE: Thousands of Migrants Still Crossing Rio Grande into Del Rio, Texas; Camp Now Holds 12,000; FAA Grants Fox News Drone Permit (Videos)

By Kristinn Taylor
Published September 17, 2021 at 2:40pm

The flood of mostly Haitian migrants across the Rio Grande into Del Rio, Texas continued unabated Friday, with the number of migrants being held in the makeshift detention camp under the International Bridge swelling to over 12,000. Also on Friday, the FAA granted Fox News’ request to fly a drone over the camp after announcing a ban on drones Thursday night. In the meantime, the Texas Department of Public Safety took Fox reporter Bill Melugin on a helicopter tour of the area.



Migrants cross Rio Grande into Del Rio, Texas Friday morning, screen image via Bill Melugin/Twitter.

Before taking the helicopter tour, Melugin posted videos from the Rio Grande of migrants crossing at will.



Bill Melugin
@BillFOXLA

More migrants are arriving here in Del Rio, TX after crossing a dam in the Rio Grande and entering the United States illegally. There are now at least 10,500 migrants underneath the international bridge, with more coming by the hour. Intel is up to 10,000 more coming. @FoxNews

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438890970117021698



11:41 AM · Sep 17, 2021

The MRC’s Curtis Houck posted video clips of Melugin’s helicopter tour. The videos show there is more than one crossing point by the migrants–and no interference by federal or Texas authorities.



Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck

AMAZING -- Since the Biden administration has kicked @BillFoxLA and his team out from flying Fox News's drones along the U.S./Mexico border in Del Rio, TX, *local* law enforcement decided to get him a helicopter to hop in and go check things out to continue reporting.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438920452433457152



1:39 PM · Sep 17, 2021



Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck
·
Sep 17, 2021

Replying to @CurtisHouck.@BillFOXLA: "We have no idea how long these people are going to be there...This has been happening all morning long...We are not allowed to the drive in...This situation looks like it is going to get worse before it gets better. The stream of people is not stopping."

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438923925229031425





Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck

.@BillFoxLA: It certainly does not look like an international border there...We’re talking more 10,000 people, guys and this has exploded in size in just two days...There are reports that there are more than 10,000 migrants still on the way."

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438925376709877764



1:58 PM · Sep 17, 2021



Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck
·
Sep 17, 2021

Replying to @CurtisHouck.@BillFOXLA: "I have been covering the border all summer long. It’s like my 10th trip out here. I have not seen anything like this...What I'm looking at right now is — is incredible...It’s one thing seeing it on TV, but seeing it up here...It’s wild. Our border is wide open."

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438926643733598211





Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck

.@BillFoxLA Melugin and his crew spot illegal immigrants gathering grass, tree branches, and other brush to make HUTS along a highway overpass.Melugin also said border agents are “severely outnumbered. They need some serious help...They are insanely frustrated.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438928564372529153



2:11 PM · Sep 17, 2021



Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck
·
Sep 17, 2021

Replying to @CurtisHouck.@BillFoxLA Melugin and his crew spot illegal immigrants gathering grass, tree branches, and other brush to make HUTS along a highway overpass.Melugin also said border agents are “severely outnumbered. They need some serious help...They are insanely frustrated.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438928564372529153




Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck

.@BillFOXLA Melugin mentions people are going back & forth between Mexico and the U.S. without any resistance, adding: “This is the most remarkably stunning thing we have seen...Something has got to change pretty quick, guys, b/c this is unsustainable.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438929227210964995



2:13 PM · Sep 17, 2021



Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck
·
Sep 17, 2021

Replying to @CurtisHouck.@BillFOXLA Melugin mentions people are going back & forth between Mexico and the U.S. without any resistance, adding: “This is the most remarkably stunning thing we have seen...Something has got to change pretty quick, guys, b/c this is unsustainable.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438929227210964995





Curtis Houck
@CurtisHouck

.@BillFOXLA: “They’re just congregating under the bridge...It is safe to say these numbers are pushing at least 11,000...You’re going to have some serious Covid concerns...Haiti has a Covid-19 vaccination rate of less than 1%...Probably looking at some serious...health issues”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1438930548857229319



2:19 PM · Sep 17, 2021

The FAA announced Friday that Fox has been granted a permit to fly their drone, “.@FoxNews applied this morning and has received clearance to operate from now until the end of September in the restricted airspace linked below.”



The FAA
@FAANews

. @FoxNews applied this morning and has received clearance to operate from now until the end of September in the restricted airspace linked below. Any media can also apply at: https://faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/emergency_situations/…https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_9857.html…

1:22 PM · Sep 17, 2021

Rep. Tony Gonzales reports over 12,000 migrants at the camp this morning, “Inbox: @TonyGonzales4TX’s office on the situation at Del Rio International Bridge: “As of Friday morning, the location reached over 12,000 migrants, with reports of more people expected to arrive from the interior of Mexico.”



Hayden Sparks
@HaydenJSparks

Inbox: @TonyGonzales4TX's office on the situation at Del Rio International Bridge: "As of Friday morning, the location reached over 12,000 migrants, with reports of more people expected to arrive from the interior of Mexico."#BorderCrisis

1:46 PM · Sep 17, 2021

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/09/update-thousands-migrants-still-crossing-rio-grande-del-rio-texas-camp-now-holds-12000-faa-grants-fox-news-drone-permit-videos/