A recent surge in illegal border crossings in South Texas has been reported as resident-elect Donald Trump's inauguration approaches, with concerns over stricter U.S. immigration policies and potential changes to asylum processes potentially contributing to heightened activity.
The Rio Grande Valley sector reported 1,276 migrant arrests over the weekend, a sharp increase from the 400 to 600 weekly apprehensions seen in recent months, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez.
The arrests included migrants from eight countries, alongside 13 human smuggling cases and six narcotics seizures. Chavez noted this was the highest weekend total for the sector since December 2023.
So proud of the work our USBP agents execute daily protecting our South Texas region! 1,276 Migrant Apprehensions
— Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez (@USBPChiefRGV) December 16, 2024
58 Gotaways
13 Human Smuggling Cases
13 Human Smugglers
6 Narcotics Seizures
Checkpoint Traffic:
Falfurrias – 32K veh.
Kingsville – 19.2K veh.
Fort Brown – 7.6K veh.
While other border regions have maintained lower crossing rates, sources cited by Newsweek suggest increased activity in Del Rio and South Texas. Monthly CBP statistics for November are expected to provide a broader picture of the most recent trends.
The news come as another migrant caravan departed Tapachula on Wednesday with around 1,000 migrants, the ninth big caravan to leave Mexico's border region with Guatemala headed for the U.S. since early October, as the Washington Post reports. "When Donald takes office, it's going to be more complicated," said Jose Daniel, 33, a Venezuelan autoworker to the new outlet, reflecting a sentiment shared by many migrants rushing to try to enter the country before January 20.
"Inflammatory rhetoric around immigration fuels fear, pushing many families into urgent and risky decisions," explained Latinx Education Collaborative CEO Edgar J. Palacios to The Latin Times. "The current rhetoric around stricter border enforcement, mass deportations, and heightened immigration restrictions creates a sense of urgency among migrants."
Palacios also added that "statements signaling a rollback of protections, harsher policies, or increased militarization of the border leave families feeling that their window for safety and opportunity is closing which drives many to make desperate decisions in search of a better life before such changes take effect."
No caravan has managed to get close to the U.S. border. In fact, no major caravans has reached the United States in nearly six years and recent efforts have been dismantled by Mexican authorities, with some migrants being bused to cities in southern Mexico, and others being offered transit papers.
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