U.S. Homeland Security chief says high number of people already at border

The United States is already seeing high number of border encounters in certain areas, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Thursday ahead of a COVID-19 immigration restriction called Title 42's midnight expiration.

"Our borders are not open," Mayorkas told reporters at a White House briefing, warning of tougher consequences for those who try to cross the U.S. border illegally.