As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, border officials and the Texas National Guard are conducting training exercises in anticipation of a possible increase in migrant crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Texas National Guard, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), is holding drills near Eagle Pass to bolster readiness for a surge in illegal crossings. Training spans multiple areas of the border, including the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso.
“We want to conduct these exercises to send a clear message for anyone who is thinking about crossing or entering the state of Texas: we’re gonna make it very difficult,” said Lieutenant Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson for Texas DPS.
- Over the past weekend, 154 migrants, including 20 unaccompanied children, were apprehended while attempting to cross the Rio Grande.
- Earlier Tuesday, a group of over 100 migrants, including individuals from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, crossed into Eagle Pass, navigating federal land and circumventing state authorities.
Captured migrants are typically handed over to the U.S. Border Patrol for processing.
The looming possibility of stricter immigration policies and mass deportations under the new administration is fueling anxiety in immigrant communities. These concerns are believed to be contributing to the increased number of crossings before the presidential transition.
The current exercises aim to address gaps in coverage across vast and varied terrain, including areas with limited barriers or private land access. Federal and state agencies continue to coordinate efforts to manage the evolving situation along the southern border.
The National Guard’s presence underscores the high stakes of border security in the weeks leading up to the new administration.