The immigration crisis has reached new heights as hundreds of migrants breached the Texas-Mexico border in El Paso on March 21. Over 200 migrants were charged with rioting after the breach became violent with the Texas National Guard troops in El Paso.
The immigration crisis has graced headlines for months, with increasing urgency. There has been a stark increase in the number of land border encounters since 2021. By December 2024, this number increased to 301,983 as compared to 71,929 in 2021.
The crisis has heightened so much in fact, that many believe immigration will be the turning point of the presidential election this year. Slate explains that President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump will need to implement a “border emergency” policy to take home the election.
In one recent and particularly concerning case, 222 migrants rushed the razor wire fence and pushed past an outnumbered group of El Paso troops. The situation quickly turned violent as the National Guard was unable to hold back the rush of hundreds of migrants.
The National Guard soldiers were pushed back from the fence and fights quickly broke out between migrants and guards. However, the Guard was able to eventually regain control and remove all 200+ migrants from the site.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott had this to say regarding the surge on X: “The Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety quickly regained control and are redoubling the razor wire barriers. DPS is instructed to arrest every illegal immigrant involved for criminal trespass and destruction of property.”
According to the New York Post, 118 people were originally charged and then 97 more followed that. A few more were charged at the end of the week as well.
Following a hearing, the participants have started to be transferred into the custody of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). Once all participants are in custody, ICE will begin the process of deportation.
Border Patrol commented, “There are consequences to crossing the border illegally, and CBP continues to enforce United States Immigration Laws. Individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. are subject to removal.”
The border breach comes hot on the heels of the controversial Texas Senate Bill, which would allow police to detain, arrest, and deport people suspected of crossing into the U.S. illegally if passed. The bill would also give judge’s more freedom over giving harsher criminal penalties in illegal border crossing cases.
The bill went into effect on March 19, 2024. Only hours after it was put into effect it was suspended as the U.S. Justice Department and immigration advocacy groups voiced concerns about the use of racial profiling.
The border crisis is ongoing and a highly controversial topic in the U.S. Texas, New York, Chicago, and more continue to battle breaches. It’s no secret that immigration will be one of the main talking points during the 2024 Presidential election season as citizens seek answers to the ongoing issue.
