1,200 Illegal Migrants in 4 Large Groups Captured in Del Rio Over Independence Day

DEL RIO – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector apprehended four large groups of illegal migrants in just over a day. They were caught shortly after they illegally entered the United States, resulting in more than 1,200 apprehensions.

The U.S. Border Patrol categorizes groups of 100 or more illegal migrants as “large groups.” During the current fiscal year, Del Rio Sector has encountered 208 such groups, which accounts for more than 52 percent of all large groups encountered by Border Patrol nationwide.

Around noon, July 5, a group of 337 illegals was apprehended just after making illegal entry into the United States near Eagle Pass. Three hours later, agents encountered another group of 120 migrants south of Eagle Pass.

On July 6, a large group of 536 illegals was apprehended around 10:15 a.m. after they illegally entered the United States by wading across the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass. A few hours later, around 3:30 p.m., yet another large group of 220 migrants entered the United States illegally near the same location.

The groups totaled 1,213 illegals. Subjects apprehended included: 520 Venezuelans, 502 Cubans, 104 Colombians, 51 Peruvians, 18 Nicaraguan, five Ecuadorians, one from the Dominican Republic, four Panamanians, one from Bangladesh, three Hondurans, and four Guatemalans. Single adults accounted for 918 of the migrants for approximately 75.5 percent of the four groups, with the remaining 295 migrants being family units.

All subjects were transported to the nearest processing facility and were processed under Del Rio Sector Prosecution guidelines.  

Rumors around San Angelo indicate some illegal migrants are being moved through the city from the Eden Detention Center, held at the former Howard College Campus on Executive Dr. and dropped off at the terminal at Mathis Field.  So far, those rumors are unsubstantiated and there has been absolutely no proof made public that any of that information is accurate.  

Del Rio Sector continues to see an increase in illegal migrant encounters, smuggling events, and criminal apprehensions. During the current fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1, 2021, through May 31, Del Rio Sector agents have encountered 280,622 illegal migrants.