El Paso’s mayor declared a state of emergency last month as the number of migrants rose, including dozens of people who slept on benches on downtown streets as temperatures dropped below zero.
Biden announced the visit last week, adding a break to the president’s trip to Mexico City for a summit of North American leaders where hemispheric immigration will be one of the top issues discussed.
On Sunday, Biden toured law enforcement operations and spoke with Border Patrol agents at the city’s busiest border crossing. He walked across the border fence before meeting with local officials, religious leaders and aid groups at an immigrant services center.