The Texas National Guard reportedly expanded barbwire fence in El Paso along the Rio Grande.
How did that impact migrant crossings?
The number of crossings “plummeted” in El Paso.
Who would have thought that diverted resources to the border could reduce migrant crossings?
Go figure!
“Migrant crossings ‘plummet’ in El Paso as Texas National Guard expands barbwire fence,” Governor Greg Abbott tweeted.
“We will continue to deploy the National Guard, razor wire, large container boxes and building the wall to do all we can to deter illegal immigration caused by Biden.”
Migrant crossings "plummet" in El Paso as Texas National Guard expands barbwire fence.
We will continue to deploy the National Guard, razor wire, large container boxes and building the wall to do all we can to deter illegal immigration caused by Biden.https://t.co/Dfro4ejIaX
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 28, 2022
Border Report noted:
Migrant crossings have plummeted in a mile-long stretch of Downtown El Paso where the Texas Army National Guard has set up concertina wire and portable fencing along the Rio Grande.
The guard began setting up the barrier last week at a gap in the border wall west of the Paso del Norte port of entry. In the space of eight days, the barbed wire has nearly reached a second port of entry and chain-link fence anchored by sandbags extends even farther. The result is that asylum seekers can no longer walk across ankle-deep water in the Rio Grande and turn themselves in to waiting Border Patrol agents in that area.
“The difference is vast,” said 1st Sgt. Suzanne Ringle. “The 19th, the 20th and the 21st we had large groups of families and individuals who were wanting to come across. Now, it’s almost a ghost town out there.”
She attributed that to the “visual deterrent” of the barbwire, parked Humvees and soldiers patrolling the area with their semi-automatic rifles. As of Tuesday, 600 guard members were in El Paso on border security duty associated with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.
The Border Patrol says migrants who do not report to a port of entry or turn themselves in to federal immigration agents when they cross the border are subject to Title 42 expulsions and/or expedited Title 8 removals.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Title 42 border restrictions can remain in place until the court hears a February case.
BREAKING: Supreme Court Rules Title 42 Remains in Place Until Court Hears Case
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