UPDATE: Thirteen people are dead and several others are injured after an SUV carrying 25 people, possibly undocumented migrants, collided with a semi yesterday in Southern California. Authorities believe the SUV pulled out in front of a big-rig about ten miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas appeared in the White House briefing room to respond and deny that the new administration is spiraling into a crisis at the border.

“We are challenged at the border,” Mayorkas said. “It is a stressful challenge.”

“That is why, quite frankly, we are working as hard as we are, not only in addressing the urgency of the challenge, but also in building the capacity to manage it and to meet our humanitarian aspirations and execution of the president’s vision,” he said.

By EMILY SHAPIRO and ALEX STONE, ABC News

(IMPERIAL, Calif.) — Multiple people have died in a two-vehicle crash in Southern California Tuesday morning, the California Highway Patrol told ABC News.

The number of fatalities was not immediately clear.

Three patients were taken to the intensive care unit at Desert Regional Medical Center, according to the hospital.

One vehicle involved is a big rig, officials said.

The crash is in Imperial, which is about 100 miles east of San Diego and about 15 miles from the Mexico border.

Imperial County Fire said 25 additional personnel were sent to the scene, including four to five additional ambulances and four air helicopters.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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