Over 1,000 Migrants Rush Bridge Linking Mexico to U.S.

On Sunday, a group of more than 1,000 Venezuelan migrants tried to enter the United States through the Paso Del Norte bridge in El Paso, Texas, which connects the country to Mexico. The migrants pushed towards the fenced border, with some raising their hands to encourage others to move forward, but their efforts were thwarted by crowd control measures.

Videos from the scene show migrants of all ages gathering on the bridge, while others lined up along the riverbank. Customs and Border Protection increased their manpower in the area on the U.S. side, while the Mexican military attempted to contain the situation on the southern side of the bridge. Cameras on the bridge showed an intense buildup at the border, with several CBP agents lined up behind a barricade and razor wire.

The incident comes amidst a record-high of migrant encounters in recent years, with over 2.3 million encounters in 2022, and FY 2023 is on track to surpass that record. Republicans have pointed to the Biden administration’s rollback of Trump-era policies, such as the Remain-in-Mexico policy, ending wall construction, and narrowing interior ICE enforcement, as reasons for the crisis.

However, the Biden administration has pushed back on those accusations, citing the need for more border funding and a sweeping immigration reform proposal introduced on day one of the administration. While the Biden administration has increased funding for border security, the situation remains challenging as the US faces an influx of migrants at its borders.

The incident at the Paso Del Norte bridge underscores the challenges of immigration policies in the United States. While the Biden administration has promised sweeping reforms, it faces criticism from Republicans for its rollback of Trump-era policies. As the migrant crisis continues, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address the issue of illegal immigration and secure the nation’s borders.

Alexander J. Williams III