More than 2,200 migrants apprehended in El Paso Border Patrol sector on Memorial Day
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Border Patrol agents were busy taking into custody more than 2,200 migrants who entered the U.S. illegally.
Officials said Memorial Day was the busiest recent day of enforcement activity for El Paso Sector Border Patrol agents during the ongoing influx. The 2,200 apprehensions included two large groups and many smaller ones.
They said the busy day began in the bootheel of New Mexico with a large group of more than 200 migrants taken into custody at the Antelope Wells Port of Entry in New Mexico around 2 a.m.
A second group was one of the largest in the El Paso sector thus far with over 430 people, said officials. This group crossed the border just west of Bowie High School at around 7 a.m.
By the end of the day, the El Paso Sector agents had apprehended over 2,200 undocumented aliens with 1,850 of those being taken into custody in the geographic area between Executive Boulevard and Midway Street in El Paso.
These groups comprised mostly Central American families and unaccompanied children. All of migrants were taken into custody for processing to include initial medical screenings. They will remain in U.S. Border Patrol custody until they are processed accordingly.
U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to deal with this influx of migrants. This fiscal year to date the El Paso Sector has arrested over 130,000 undocumented aliens, compared to over 16,000 during the same time last fiscal year. The numbers continue to rise and agents see no end in sight for this current situation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509 toll free.
