In a mere four hours of silence on the US southern border, only one individual was caught attempting to cross illegally, the NY Post. That person was intercepted by six strong federal agents who informed him that he would be deported to Mexico on the same day.
The migrant, 23-year-old Jovani from Mexico, was overcome with emotion, shedding tears as he expressed his support for President Trump.
“I support Trump because he’s someone who seems like he doesn’t like those who commit crimes,” he said after his capture.
He further remarked: “I’m in agreement with Trump’s push to deport the bad people. But not the good people.”
During an average day this week, border agents in the El Paso region, which includes both west Texas and New Mexico, detained fewer than 100 migrants crossing illegally. This was made possible by the strict enforcement under the Trump administration’s border policies.
This number represents a sharp decrease from the high of 1,800 daily apprehensions seen in 2023, and a significant reduction from the 277 illegal crossings recorded in December.
At the start of this month, border agents along the entire southern border averaged 359 illegal crossings per day, setting the US on a path toward achieving the lowest monthly crossings in over 25 years, according to internal data from Customs and Border Protection.
“It doesn’t matter if it took you 30 days, 40 days, 60 days to make that illegal crossing, we’ll expedite removal and have you in your country of origin within hours,” Border Patrol agent Orlando Marrero-Rubio told The Post during a recent ride-along in the El Paso sector.
Jovani, aged 23, attempted to flee from Border Patrol agents by running through the remote and rugged terrain of Sunland Park after scaling the border wall.
This was his second attempt to cross the border, after he had already paid $7,000 to smugglers, or coyotes, to help him gain entry.
“I’m very sad because I couldn’t cross, because I couldn’t get to where I wanted to go,” Jovani told The Post, showing the cuts on his hands from climbing the wall.
“I’m worried about deportations because this is my second time crossing. It’s frustrating because you’re coming here for a good reason. I’m a good guy, I’ve got no tattoos, followed the law, and haven’t done anything wrong to anybody. I just want to work and help my family.”
Jovani stated that he worked as an electrician and crossed the border illegally due to the complicated and difficult process of obtaining permission to work legally in the United States.
His sentiments reflect those of many migrants caught at the border today, as explained by Marrero-Rubio.
With Trump’s return to office, many migrants now know they face a much higher chance of deportation, so they are opting to try sneaking across without detection.
Under the Biden administration, the “catch and release” policy allowed migrants to turn themselves in with the knowledge that they would likely be processed and released into the US with a future court date.
Now that Trump has returned to power, Border Patrol agents are once again out in full force along the frontlines.
This marks a sharp contrast from the policies of the previous administration, during which agents were often preoccupied with processing migrants, including criminals and gang members, many of whom were then released into the US.
Sources within Border Patrol have compared their duties under the prior administration to “baby-sitting,” as they were unable to catch all the criminals slipping through the open border.
Now, agents are celebrating the return of Trump-era policies, which have sealed the border with an influx of troops, a greater number of federal agents on patrol, and the end of “catch and release.”
Agents now feel they can finally “breathe” again and resume their mission to “secure our nation’s borders,” according to Marrero-Rubio.
“It’s a relief for our agents, they don’t feel overwhelmed,” he added.
Two years ago, agents in this region were apprehending roughly 2,500 illegal migrants a day. Today, that number has fallen to under 100 daily.
With additional personnel and resources, the military and Border Patrol have joined forces to take back control of Mount Cristo Rey, a peak crowned with a towering statue of Jesus on the Cross, in Sunland Park. This mountain had been used by human traffickers to hide in the rugged terrain.
Smugglers, who had been tipped off by AI-powered cameras, would often retaliate by hurling rocks and taunting agents with insults.
Not long ago, just 15 miles away from this area, hundreds of migrants overran the border, assaulting troops stationed there.
However, that same area, once a hotspot for large migrant groups, is now eerily quiet, with razor wire and more law enforcement sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to patrol the area.
“Right now, with everything working out towards our favor, now we have more agents on the line doing what they’re assigned to do and looking out for making those apprehensions instead of processing,” said Border Patrol agent Claudio Herrera.
{Matzav.com}