Search continues for 4 US citizens kidnapped in Mexico

WASHINGTON (TND) — Four U.S. citizens were kidnapped by gunmen on Friday after crossing the border into Mexico from Brownsville, Texas. They were shot at, held at gunpoint and forced into another vehicle.

The group was driving a white minivan with alleged North Carolina plates as they entered Mexico to seek healthcare.

Former Acting Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan joined The National Desk’s Jan Jeffcoat Tuesday morning to discuss the story.

“What we do know though is that Tamaulipas is one of the most violent areas within the entire country of Mexico. There are multiple cartels that are vying for operational control of the drug and human smuggling routes,” he said. “We know that the Department of State has a Level 4 travel advisory warning. So I'm going to be curious as to what's going to come out in the next few days.”

During Monday's press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that President Joe Biden is "aware and has been informed," of the situation and stressed U.S. authorities are coordinating with Mexican authorities on the case.

Morgan also touched on the border crisis situation, saying, "What I'm hearing from the border patrol agents and what we've been hearing for the past two years is that our Southwest border right now is out of control. It's in chaos. And our borders are not secure."

Morgan says the Border Patrol is the most assaulted federal agency in the United States.

You can watch the full interview below: