On Wednesday, U.S. Border Patrol agents were forced to push back a surge of migrants attempting to cross the besieged southern border after social media rumors about International Migrant Day sparked a frenzied influx of migrants.
The agency warned that misinformation about “open borders” was circulating online early Wednesday, likely from smugglers, encouraging migrants to take the risky journey of trying to cross the El Paso border into the country illegally. are. According to the border report.
“Rumors circulating on social media that the area between the ports of entry on the southwest border will be open to migrants for International Migrant Day are clearly false,” the Border Patrol said in a statement. are trying to discourage people from traveling.
International Day of Migrants, December 18th, is a day to raise awareness of the contributions made by migrant communities around the world. It does not mean any kind of borders are open.
Officials with the Border Patrol's El Paso division have warned that human smugglers known as coyotes are spreading rumors in an attempt to get migrants to pay for their services to enter the United States.
This campaign suddenly ignited the US-Mexico border.
One such group was spotted crossing the Rio Grande Wednesday morning, then turned back by razor wire barriers and the Texas National Guard.
Juarez reported that a group of migrants attempting to enter the United States were also reportedly attacked with pepper spray and balls, and footage showed the group coughing and having difficulty breathing as they rushed through the border. There was a video.
Another group was seen approaching the El Paso crossing further down the Rio Grande, but the migrants quickly dispersed as the approaching helicopters created a sandstorm.
This isn't the first time online rumors have prompted a rush to the U.S. A similar incident occurred in February 2023, when hundreds of immigrants were duped into leaving El Paso over the promise of a bus trip to Canada. appeared at Gate 36.
Citing 176 deaths and 981 rescues during the most recent fiscal year, the Border Patrol reminds migrants that traveling to El Paso is extremely dangerous and urges migrants not to fall for such ploys. called out.
