The Texas Tribune and The Associated Press recently embarked on a 24-hour expedition to five Texas cities along the Mexico border to gauge the impact of a significant decrease in migrant crossings. One striking observation was in Ciudad Juárez, across from El Paso, where no one was camping in areas where hundreds of asylum-seeking families had previously waited to cross through razor wire. Similarly, in McAllen, Border Patrol agents spent hours scanning fields without encountering any migrants. Despite the calm at the border, the political landscape was buzzing with speeches from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump at campaign rallies.
Illegal crossings saw a sharp decline, with arrests plummeting nearly 80% across the southern border and in the Border Patrol’s Texas-based sectors from December to July. This decline is attributed to increased enforcement by Mexican authorities, new U.S. asylum restrictions implemented by the Biden administration in June, and the typical summer lull in activity.
Border conditions have noticeably shifted, as witnessed by the lack of asylum-seekers camped along the Rio Grande in El Paso and the significant decrease in daily migrant releases by the Border Patrol. Eagle Pass, a focal point for Texas’ border security efforts, also saw a reduction in migrant groups on the riverbanks. The upsurge in cross-border commerce, exemplified by the increase in truck traffic through Laredo, signifies a resurgence in trade following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texas’ billion-dollar border crackdown, Operation Lone Star, has drawn attention for its ambitious efforts to address immigration issues. Deploying measures such as troop presence, razor wire installations, and high arrest rates, the operation aims to combat what the state perceives as an “invasion.” However, the impact and effectiveness of these tactics remain unclear.
Meanwhile, immigration advocates are on edge following legal challenges against organizations like Annunciation House in El Paso. The lawsuit brought forth by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, accusing the group of sheltering migrants illegally, has raised concerns among volunteer groups and other advocates along the border. Despite the challenges, the founder of Annunciation House, Ruben Garcia, remains committed to providing humanitarian aid to migrants in need.
As the border landscape fluctuates and political debates unfold, organizations and authorities in Texas continue to navigate the complex terrain of immigration and border security in the region.