A group of over 100 migrants attempted to enter the US illegally by rushing a border wall Thursday, breaking through razor wire and knocking over guards in the process.
The Post had earlier witnessed around 600 migrants amassed at the international border, as part of a ‘spring surge’ of migrants arriving and hoping to gain access to the US.
The Texas National Guard were attempting to organize them into smaller groups, but the situation grew tense after some women and children were separated from adult males by the guardsmen.
Video taken by The Post showed one set of migrants, mostly single men, then rushing the Texas troops.
A group of men with hoodies, gloves and winter jackets could be seen pulling fencing away and dashing through the concertina wire, as a group of five guards formed a defensive position to fill the gap.
James Breeden for NY Post
The guardsmen firmly held their rifles and stood their ground in front of the migrants, who heavily outnumbered them.
A few put their hands directly on the migrants to keep them back in response to being pushed, as the scene became louder and more chaotic.
In the video some figures put their hands up in surrender, but seconds later others scramble through, with some coming through the guards’ legs and knocking them out of the way.
The group then scrambled to the border gate and started to shout at guardsmen on the other side.
James Breeden for NY Post
“We have women and children, we’re hungry,” The Post heard one male migrant scream, even though most children were in another group – one which was being prepared for processing to be let into the country.
“Help, help, help, they’re kids,” one cried.
More of the Texas National Guard then quickly moved in to secure the area.
“Get the f–k back,” one guard could he heard yelling as he tried to bring order to the situation.
A source told The Post the rowdy group — who had amassed in the area known as Gate 36, located next to the highway in El Paso — were pushed back to Mexico.
However, some were arrested and the rest of the people in the group were brought into the US for processing, according to local reports.
Border Patrol agent Orlando Marrero told the local KFOX14 news station: “The migrants that we encountered here today at gate 36 will be taken to a processing center.”
Fox News reporter Bill Melugin later wrote on X there had been one arrest for assaulting a soldier. He added more charges related to destruction of property and assault were likely, citing Border Patrol sources.
Source: https://nypost.com/2024/03/21/us-news/migrants-break-barriers-and-rush-border-guards-in-el-paso/