In a recent development, House Republican leaders have accused the Biden administration of attempting to hide the severity of the migrant crisis at the southwestern border. The leaders have submitted a three-page letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, requesting records related to a congressional delegation's visit to a border control station in Eagle Pass, Texas.

The letter states that the congressional delegation decided to visit the Eagle Pass facility after news reports surfaced on December 20, revealing that nearly 10,000 migrants were being held there, exceeding the facility's capacity. House Speaker Mike Johnson's office immediately notified DHS officials of the desire to lead a congressional visit to the site. However, when the 60 GOP House members arrived two weeks later, Border Patrol officials claimed that there were fewer than 600 migrants in custody, contradicting the previous reports.

According to data obtained by NBC News, the overall number of illegal border crossings at the southwestern border significantly dropped at the start of the New Year, including in Eagle Pass. Border Patrol apprehended just over 2,500 migrants on New Year's Day, compared to the more than 10,000 apprehended on certain days in late December. The data also reveals that the Del Rio sector, which encompasses Eagle Pass, had only 15 percent of its detention capacity occupied by migrants in early January.

Responding to the allegations, a spokesperson for DHS stated that encounters at the border had indeed significantly decreased by the end of December and early January. The spokesperson further clarified that U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not operate long-term detention facilities, and the detained migrants may be subjected to various processes, including expedited removal, transfer to ICE detention, or placement in removal proceedings.

However, House Republicans have raised concerns about the perceived efforts made by DHS officials to conceal the truth from members of Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on social media, claiming that the Biden administration had relocated migrants to keep them out of view during the GOP lawmakers' visit to Eagle Pass. The letter signed by Johnson, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green alleges that DHS purposely took these measures to hide the reality from Congress.

The letter also accuses border control officials of preventing the visiting lawmakers from taking pictures, hindering Congress' oversight responsibilities. Border officials themselves reportedly took photos of the lawmakers, while prohibiting them from doing the same. A CBS News crew, however, was allowed to take video footage of the facility.

In addition to requesting documents and correspondence related to the congressional visit, the House leaders have also asked for information regarding any attempts to divert or delay the entry of foreign nationals expected to enter through Eagle Pass or the Del Rio Sector. They have also sought documents pertaining to rules surrounding photography at Border Patrol facilities.

This development comes amidst ongoing hearings conducted by Chairman Mark Green's committee into the possible impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. House Republicans have held Mayorkas responsible for the surge in illegal border crossings and the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States from Mexico.

It is worth noting that no U.S. Cabinet member has been impeached since the 19th century, and Democrats and some legal scholars have refuted the basis for impeaching Secretary Mayorkas. The allegations of concealing the migrant crisis and impeding congressional oversight further intensify the ongoing political debate surrounding the border situation.