All articles tagged with #us border patrol
US border patrol agents shot two people outside a Portland hospital during a vehicle stop related to suspected undocumented immigrants, sparking protests and political criticism amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement and recent shootings in Minneapolis.
U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino and agents are expected to leave Chicago soon as the Department of Homeland Security reduces its presence, signaling a shift away from the aggressive 'Operation Midway Blitz' campaign, though federal efforts may increase again in the spring. Bovino's departure follows controversy over his conduct and legal challenges, and his future plans include relocating to other cities.
U.S. Border Patrol agents in Chicago are equipped with body cameras amid a crackdown on immigration, with recent use of tear gas during protests drawing scrutiny. A court hearing examined the tactics and safety measures, including the use of tear gas and the requirement for agents to wear badges and cameras, amidst ongoing legal and political debates about immigration enforcement methods.
A Chicago woman, Marimar Martinez, was indicted after being shot multiple times by US Customs and Border Protection agents, who allege she rammed their vehicle and was armed, though her lawyer disputes this based on body camera footage. Another individual, Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, was also indicted in connection with the case amid increased immigration enforcement in Chicago.
An off-duty US Border Patrol agent was shot in the face and arm during a suspected robbery in Fort Washington Park, NYC, and is expected to survive; one person is in custody as authorities investigate the motive, which remains unclear. The incident follows a recent shooting at a Border Patrol facility in Texas.
San Diego has become a major entry point for migrants into the United States for the first time in 25 years, surpassing Arizona and Texas. The influx has overwhelmed local resources, leading to migrants being dropped off at a transit center with limited services.
The House of Representatives has approved a $1.2 trillion bipartisan package that includes increased funding for immigration and border enforcement, emphasizing the desire for heightened spending on curbing illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border. The package allocates over $9.5 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), thousands of new police-type vehicles, and funds for marine vessels, aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems for the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection. The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote before midnight.
Hundreds of migrants breached temporary fencing on the northern banks of the Rio Grande in El Paso, overwhelming Texas National Guard soldiers before being apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents. The fencing was part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, aimed at preventing migrants from entering the U.S. The incident occurred amidst a surge of about 1,000 migrant encounters per day in the El Paso Sector, prompting the state to install more barriers and instructing law enforcement to arrest migrants for criminal trespass and destruction of property.
A Lebanese national was apprehended at the Texas border after claiming to be a member of a foreign terrorist organization and expressing intent to build a bomb. Federal law enforcement officials have launched an investigation, and the individual is in US custody. FBI Director Christopher Wray noted an increase in "known or suspected terrorists" attempting to cross the southern border in the last five years, but emphasized that the number of individuals encountered with terror watchlist records is extremely small. Border security and the migrant crisis remain top concerns for voters, with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump recently visiting Texas border communities.
The National Border Patrol Council, representing over 18,000 U.S. Border Patrol agents, endorsed the bipartisan Senate immigration deal, despite conservative backlash. The union believes the bill will reduce illegal border crossings and improve agents' ability to apprehend border crossers. However, the legislation faces opposition from House Republicans, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling it a "waste of time." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised the bill's negotiator, Sen. James Lankford, but several Republican senators have already expressed opposition. The Senate is set to vote on the bill as part of a national security supplemental package.
US Border Patrol agents arrested 69 migrants, including four unaccompanied minors, who were hiding in El Paso's storm drain system. The migrants, from Guatemala, Mexico, Bolivia, Honduras, and El Salvador, were medically evaluated and processed for removal. The El Paso Sector Border Patrol warned of the dangers posed by the storm drain system and stated that serious consequences would be delivered to individuals exploiting it. The city's storm drain system is described as large and complex, with migrants facing risks such as encountering chemicals, toxic gases, insects, and venomous animals, as well as the possibility of drowning or suffocation.
U.S. Border Patrol agents along the northern and coastal borders have been asked to assist their colleagues at the U.S.-Mexico border by expediting the virtual processing of illegal immigrants, as the number of migrants in custody exceeds 19,100. The virtual processing involves agents conducting video calls with migrants. The Border Patrol's resources have been focused on sectors in Texas, Arizona, and California, leading to a temporary suspension and reduction of vehicle processing at ports of entry in those areas. The Tucson Sector in Arizona reported a record-breaking 15,300 illegal crossings last week. The surge in migrant encounters at the southern border continues, with over 240,000 people encountered in October, the highest-ever number for that month.
U.S. Border Patrol agents have been separating migrant children as young as 8 from their parents for several days this summer to prevent overcrowding in holding facilities, according to an independent federal court monitor. The separations, which occurred at a facility in Texas, raised concerns about the psychological impact on the children. The monitor found that the separated children experienced emotional distress and were unable to communicate with their parents. The report highlights the operational and humanitarian challenges faced by Border Patrol due to a recent spike in migrant crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Fourteen migrants have been detained after their boat rammed into a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office marine vessel and then fled. The boat's captain, Bazaeluis Francois, was arrested for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. The migrants' boat was eventually beached north of the Juno Beach Pier, and the migrants will be turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.
A US Border Patrol agent in El Paso, Texas, has been indicted on charges of bribery and smuggling after allegedly offering an undocumented migrant "immigration papers" in exchange for $5,000. The agent, Fernando Castillo, was arrested following an investigation prompted by the migrant's report. Surveillance footage and intercepted calls allegedly linking Castillo to the incident were obtained. The agent is also accused of modifying the migrant's immigration file. Castillo's service with US Customs and Border Protection has ended, and his arraignment is scheduled for August 17.