Border Patrol sending migrants to unofficial camps in California's desert, locals say

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/21/ [login to see] /border-patrol-migrants-unofficial-camps-jacumba-california-desert
On a chilly autumn morning in the California desert, on the side of a highway, two young men are asking for help.

They tell NPR they are from Turkey. They crossed the U.S.-Mexico border a few minutes ago, with about 18 other people.

They're exhausted.

And then they ask for something unusual, given the circumstances.

"Please. Call border patrol."

Almost as soon as they say it, Border Patrol rolls up and takes them.

As strange as it sounds, this is what they want. They have been told that if they cross over and turn themselves over to Border Patrol, they are taking the first step toward getting a visa or a better chance at asylum in the United States.