A migrant was caught on video using bolt cutters to snip razor wire on the U.S. border with Mexico and attempting to lead dozens of migrants into the country illegally. The incident took place near Gate 45 and was captured on video by the New York Post. The migrant, wearing a red shirt, was seen pulling fencing away and snipping concertina wire before trying to lead a group of migrants through the hole he created in the barrier. Members of the Texas National Guard blocked the migrants from entering and turned them back toward Mexican territory.
Just days before this incident, over 100 people rushed National Guard soldiers near Gate 36 a few miles away. During this incident, the group of migrants knocked over five Guardsmen who attempted to stand in their way, resulting in some troops being treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital. One migrant, 21-year-old Junior Evarsisto-Benitez from Honduras, was charged with assault on a public servant, a third-degree felony, and is currently being held in the El Paso County Jail. Officials in Texas are reviewing security footage to identify other migrants responsible for the storming of National Guard troops.
In response to these incidents, officials in Texas have been utilizing wire and fencing put up by the National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety as a way to deter migrants from crossing the border illegally. The barriers are aimed at directing migrants to use legal points of entry to turn themselves in to authorities. The incident near Gate 45 on Sunday saw migrants peacefully following the commands of the soldiers and returning to Mexico. The Texas National Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the altercation.
The video of the migrant cutting the border razor wire and attempting to lead dozens of migrants into the U.S. illegally has brought attention to the ongoing challenges faced by border security officials. With incidents of migrants attempting to storm National Guard soldiers and bypass border barriers, the need for effective security measures and enforcement protocols is clear. The actions of the Texas National Guard in blocking the migrants from entering and turning them back toward Mexico demonstrate the commitment to upholding border security and enforcing immigration laws.
As officials continue to review security footage and identify individuals responsible for these incidents, it is clear that maintaining border security is a complex and ongoing challenge. The use of wire and fencing as deterrents, along with the deployment of National Guard troops, highlights the multi-faceted approach taken to secure the border. While the incident near Gate 45 resulted in migrants peacefully returning to Mexico, the need for constant vigilance and enforcement of immigration laws remains a priority for border security officials in Texas and across the U.S.