U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered a dangerous situation while on duty at the southern border when gunmen from Mexico opened fire towards them. The incident took place in the El Paso, Texas sector, with shots being fired from the Mexican side on Wednesday afternoon. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that this was a 'use of force incident' as agents responded to reports of gunfire near the border in the Ysleta Station area of Texas.
Fortunately, no agents were injured during the exchange of fire, and CBP agents did return fire in response. The CBP has initiated an investigation into the incident, with the Office of Professional Responsibility overseeing the review process. This alarming event marks the second time in recent weeks that Border Patrol agents have faced gunfire while on patrol.
These incidents occur amidst a challenging situation at the border, with tens of thousands of illegal immigrants managing to evade Border Patrol authorities since the start of the fiscal year in October. According to CBP sources, there have been approximately 175,000 'known getaways,' referring to individuals who have successfully avoided apprehension by Border Patrol agents but have been detected through other surveillance methods.
This concerning trend translates to an average of nearly 800 individuals escaping Border Patrol custody each day. The CBP continues to work diligently to address these security challenges and ensure the safety of both agents and the border region as a whole.
