Haitian migrants cleared from camp at Texas border but controversy continues

Immigration authorities on Friday said thousands of Haitian migrants have been cleared from camp in south Texas.

After more than a week of growing controversy, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed Friday that the migrant camp formed in Del Rio, Texas, has been cleared out -- but he said that more than 17,400 migrants -- mostly Haitians -- remain in the United States.

"As of this morning, there are no longer any migrants in the camp, underneath the Del Rio International Bridge," Mayorkas said at a White House briefing Friday afternoon.

Photos showed the once sprawling and squalid encampment emptied and the area bulldozed -- but the political problem the migrants pose has not gone away.

Of those who remain, Mayorkas said, 5,000 are still being processed by the Department of Homeland Security and about 12,400 will have the opportunity to stay in the U.S., have their cases heard before an immigration judge and not be subject to the rapid "expulsion" protocols.