Migrants from Central America wait for the train that will take them to the US border in Guadalajara, Jalisco State, Mexico, on December 7, 2013.
Deportations are being stepped up of illegal migrants along the US border, a top Obama adminstration official said today, defending the White House's handling of a flood of undocumented children.
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson told NBC television's "Meet the Press" that officials have reduced the "turnaround times" for migrants illegally entering the country along the Mexican border.
"I believe we're going to stem this tide," said Johnson, who added that the administration also is intensifying efforts to discourage migrants, including thousands of unaccompanied children, from making the dangerous and difficult overland journey to the United States.
"There are no free passes once you get here" for those entering the US without authorization, Johnson said.
"Our message to those who come here illegally: our border is not open to illegal migration. There is a deportation proceeding that has commenced against illegal migrants - including children," the domestic security chief said.
The immigration issue has gained new urgency in the United States after 52,000 unaccompanied minors crossed illegally into the US via America's southern border since October.
President Barack Obama is due to travel to Texas later this week, but Johnson would not say whether a visit to the state's border areas is on his agenda.
Democratic lawmaker Henry Cuellar said holes in US law were to blame for the massive immigrant influx into his state of Texas, especially from Central America.
"If you're a Mexican, you get sent back - mother, kids, adults, you're sent back," said Cuellar.
"But if you're a noncontiguous country like the Central American countries, then the law says that you are going to be held by (the federal Department of) Health and Human Services, and they're going to place you," Cuellar told CNN.
"That's the law that we need to change right now."
Cuellar accused the White House of being caught flat-footed by the crisis.
"It's not the first time we have seen a surge, and we should have been ready for this surge," Cuellar said. "The administration should have been ready."
Obama's Republican foes said the administration's policies encouraged the influx.
"What has to be addressed is the security of the border. You know that. I know that. The president of the United States knows that," said Texas Governor Rick Perry, speaking to ABC television.