Eagle Pass International Railway Crossing Reopens Following a Spike in Texas Migrant Activity

The international railway bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas, reopened on Saturday after a brief closure earlier in the week due to heightened migrant activity at the US-Mexico border.

The bridge closure followed a state of emergency declaration by Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. in response to an escalating influx of migrants along the border.

US Customs and Border Protection issued a statement on Saturday, revealing that field operations at the international railway crossing bridge in Eagle Pass recommenced at approximately midnight. These resources had been temporarily redirected to expeditiously and securely process and vet migrants.

The statement also emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the Government of Mexico to maintain safety and security in the region, particularly on railway networks. It noted that vehicular processing operations at Bridge One remained suspended.

Migrant crossings along the border reached a peak earlier in the week, exceeding 8,600 within a 24-hour timeframe, as reported by a Department of Homeland Security official on Thursday.

In response, the US Defense Department bolstered its resources, deploying approximately 800 new active-duty personnel to supplement the 2,500 National Guard members already stationed along the southern border.

By Friday, the number of migrants crossing the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass had substantially decreased, with Mayor Salinas reporting a more than two-thirds reduction compared to just two days prior. An estimated 3,000 migrants had crossed near Eagle Pass on Wednesday, according to Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber.

One contributing factor to this decline, as suggested by Salinas, may have been the temporary cessation of train services to northern Mexico, potentially causing migrants to wait for train operations to recommence. CNN also observed heightened law enforcement barriers and military presence on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande in the city of Piedras Negras.

Authorities have identified various factors propelling migration, including disinformation campaigns by smugglers, economic hardships, authoritarian regimes, and the impacts of the climate crisis. Those leaving their homes for the US often embark on perilous journeys in pursuit of improved safety and livelihoods, with motivations ranging from escaping violence to seeking economic opportunities or family reunification, as noted by experts. The deteriorating conditions in Latin America exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic have further contributed to the recent surge in migrant arrivals.

The influx of migrants at the border has placed significant strain on federal resources and has posed challenges to President Joe Biden's border policies.

Source: cnn.com