Hundreds of Mexican federal, state and local agents have arrived at the border near El Paso, Texas, to prevent a migrant caravan with about 2,000 people from reaching the United States.
Mexican officials paraded federal immigration agents and other law enforcement officers in front of cameras this week in Juárez, the Mexican city just south of El Paso.
The show of force is part of an ongoing agreement between President Joe Biden and the president of Mexico for Mexico to do its part to secure the border and was also used in January.
At least 200 agents from the National Migration Institute or INM have been activated to isolate a group of 2,000 migrants calling themselves the ‘Camino de la Cruz’ caravan that left Chiapas, Mexico, last week and are approaching the United States. Joined.
About 1,000 immigrants had already arrived in the city of Chihuahua, which is a few hours by car or a few days on foot, the main means of transportation for most immigrants, from Texas, the El Paso district attorney revealed. Bill Hicks.
Mexico increases border enforcement to prevent migrants from reaching El Paso, Texas
200 Mexican federal agents are now in Juárez, just south of El Paso.
The operation is part of an agreement between the US and Mexico
As part of the security operation, checkpoints were installed in the town of Jiménez, reported Mexican media.
Cars and buses are being searched to make sure migrants heading to the border are detained with the ultimate goal of deporting them.
A special response team was sent to Gate 36, a marker on the border wall in El Paso, where a migrant riot broke out on March 21.
“We have a group of about 1,000 people that left the city of Chihuahua and is heading to El Paso with instructions to go to Gate 36,” the El Paso district attorney, who is prosecuting More than 200 immigrants charged in stampede.
“I’m concerned that if we don’t send that message that you can’t come to Gate 36 or somewhere else in El Paso and perpetrate violence to enter the United States, we might stop them.”
Last month’s migrant stampede turned violent when migrants overpowered members of the Texas National Guard, trampled troops, punched one in the face and tried to grab another Texas official’s gun.
After assaulting Texas National Guard troops, the migrants forced their way into an area of the border wall known as Gate 36 in El Paso, Texas.
Nine immigrants have been charged as instigators for planning and leading the riots, Texas officials stated.
PICTURED: Junior Evaristo-Benitez, 21, of Honduras, was arrested and charged with assault on a public servant, a third-degree felony, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed.
Nine immigrants face state felony charges for planning and leading the mayhem, while another 200 face charges for simply going ahead.
At least a dozen others will also face federal charges.
The caravan is led by Mexican activists who coordinate with churches to help migrants, mostly South Americans, reach the international border between the United States and Mexico.
Activists hope to protect immigrants from being targeted by criminals or corrupt police who extort money-losing immigrants crossing through Mexico.
Across the border from El Paso, Texas, shelters are preparing for their arrival.
“We are in contact with people and staff in migrant shelters in southern Mexico,” said the Rev. Francisco Bueno Guillén, director of the Casa del Migrante shelter in Juárez. KTSM.
‘They say that many people have arrived in the country recently and others who are already there are joining them. And yes, they come to Juárez.”
A group of 2,000 people calling themselves the ‘Via Crucis’ caravan left Chiapas, Mexico, earlier this week and is marching toward Texas.
The caravan calls itself ‘Via Crucis’ and is led by activists
Migrants, including children, advance in a caravan on their way to the United States from Tapachula, Mexico, on March 25
It is estimated that about 2,000 immigrants will head to the United States and will arrive in a few days.
Mexican activists travel with migrants to offer them protection from criminals and bad cops who extort and sometimes even kidnap migrants.
In that border city, migrant shelters are already at 75% of their capacity.
These migrants are expected to surrender to the US Border Patrol once they arrive in the United States, as many seek asylum.
“We continue to marshal all available resources and be aware of trends,” said Catholic Diocese of El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz. border report.
“El Paso has proven very capable of preparing when the surge arrives and providing a safe and orderly way for those who have been allowed in to find a safe situation and continue on their way.”
However, Texas officials have also tightened the border crossing at El Paso, where migrants typically turn themselves over to Border Patrol.
Additionally, members of the Texas National Guard arrived in West Texas on Monday to “hold the line,” Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted.