Large Groups of Illegal Immigrants Push Invasion Crisis at Southern Border

EDINBURG, TX – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents interdicted six illegal immigrant smuggling attempts over the weekend that resulted in 56 arrests and identified two migrant stash houses.

On Nov. 19, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents responded to a call for assistance from La Joya Police Department (LJPD) officers in a search for several individuals that fled on foot following a vehicle stop. Responding agents assisted in the apprehension of the driver who was identified as a United States citizen, and four illegals from Central America. LJPD took custody of the vehicle and driver. The illegal immigrants were taken into Border Patrol custody.

That evening, Weslaco Border Patrol Station (WSL) agents conducted a vehicle stop on a white Chevrolet Malibu at a gas station on Business 77 and FM 493. As the agent approached the vehicle, the occupants fled in different directions. The agent immediately apprehended one illegal individual and then witnessed the vehicle flee from the area. Responding agents assisted with four more illegal immigrant apprehensions. The immigrants are nationals from Mexico and El Salvador.

Later that night, WSL agents responded to a call for assistance from Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were on scene at an abandoned trailer house with 23 suspected illegal aliens in Donna. Agents interviewed the subjects and determined all 23 were illegal immigrants from Central America and Mexico. No caretaker was identified.

Also on the night of Nov. 19, Corpus Christi Border Patrol agents responded to a call for assistance from a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office deputy at a vehicle stop in Port Lavaca. The deputy conducted a vehicle stop on a white GMC Sierra hauling a travel trailer and encountered seven subjects hiding within the trailer. Responding agents determined the seven individuals were illegal immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala and placed them under arrest. The deputy took custody of the vehicle and driver to pursue state smuggling charges. Agents later discovered through record checks that one illegal was previously convicted of sexual assault of a minor and sentenced to five years confinement in Alabama.

On Nov. 20, MCS agents responded to a concerned citizen’s call regarding possible illegal immigrants loading into a green pick-up near Los Indios Road and Conway Avenue in Mission. Agents responded and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a green Ford Ranger. The vehicle failed to yield and led the agent on a pursuit and eventually came to a stop, where multiple people fled into the brush. A CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter arrived to assist. A search of the immediate area resulted in the apprehension of five illegal immigrants from Honduras. The driver was not located.

That evening, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents along with deputies from Starr County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to a residence possibly being used to harbor illegal immigrants in Escobares. Upon arrival, authorities observed individuals fleeing through the residence’s windows. Agents apprehended 12 illegals from Mexico at the location.

All subjects were processed accordingly.