Texas National Guard troops set up concertina wire at ports of entry in El Paso area
Texas National Guard troops set up concertina wire at ports of entry in El Paso area
Aaron Montes, El Paso Times
Published 5:20 p.m. MT April 9, 2019 | Updated 6:55 p.m. MT April 9, 2019
Texas National Guardsmen are increasing the placement of concertina wire at El Paso-area border bridges.
The troops last week began laying out the razor wire under the Paso Del Norte International Bridge as part of an effort to increase security around the ports of entry. Their effort coincides with U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to make it harder for large groups of migrants to cross the border illegally.
The Border Patrol released video of 247 undocumented immigrants crossing into the U.S. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, at Antelope Wells, N.M. Courtesy Border Patrol, El Paso Times
They'll place the wire near bridges in the El Paso area, including the Paso Del Norte International Bridge, the Stanton Bridge, the Bridge of the Americas and the Ysleta-Zaragoza International Bridge.
The Guardsmen will be visible for an indefinite amount of time as they are called upon to help install and maintain the barriers, said CBP spokesman Ruben Jauregui.
"It's not something that can be done all at once," he said.
"We find areas we need to change and modify as needed."
https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2...unds&auto=webpBuy PhotoSoldiers stand by a truck at the Bridge of the Americas on April 3, 2019. (Photo: Mark Lambie/El Paso Times)
More: CBP strengthens El Paso ports of entry against immigrants gathering in Juárez: officials
Jauregui said the soldiers are not involved in operations but may walk along the bridge while constructing barriers.
CBP began installing concrete K-rails and concertina wire on the U.S. side of ports of entry in February as the number of migrants arriving in Juárez began to increase.
There are an estimated 3,000 migrants in Juárez awaiting their chance to apply for asylum in the U.S.
More: More than 100 immigrants wait in Juárez: 'The only thing we can do is stay' in Mexico
The materials being used at El Paso ports of entry are similar to the barriers at ports in California and South Texas.
https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2...unds&auto=webpThe National Guard last week began laying out the razor wire under the Paso Del Norte International Bridge as part of an effort to increase security around the ports of entry. (Photo: Aaron Montes)
In February, CBP said it was using existing El Paso port of entry personnel to carry out the hardening efforts.
El Paso ports of entry are not the only places Texas National Guardsmen have been sent to help immigration authorities manage a surge of Central American migrants entering the U.S.
A.F. Tom Thomas, a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army, said about 150 National Guardsman are helping the U.S. Border Patrol identify migrants who try entering the U.S. from desert areas along the U.S.-Mexico border.
They are stationed from El Paso to Laredo, he added.
More: CBP strengthens El Paso ports of entry against immigrants gathering in Juárez: officials
Thomas said it's not unusual for National Guardsman to help construct barriers and put up fencing as part of efforts to deter illegal immigration. They've been helping the Border Patrol for over a year now, he estimates.
"There's no legal restriction as far as I am concerned," he said.
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/ne...on/3416653002/
