El Paso, 14 March 2023 (TDI): A group of migrants squabbled with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the El Paso border after false information spread that the entry was open for asylum seekers.
According to reports, a standoff between hundreds of migrants and US Customs and Border Protection officers in riot gear blocked the Paso Del Norte international bridge connecting El Paso and the Mexican border city Juárez on Sunday afternoon.
The migrants, mainly Venezuelans, were demanding entry into the US amid rumors of an express asylum program. Some of them claimed that Customs and Border Protection’s online asylum application launched this year was not working properly.
To add further, crowds of migrants had been gathering at the Mexican foot of the bridge since the morning before the tidal wave of people ran to the border at the top of the bridge.
Thus, the US Customs and Border Protection officers stood behind concrete and plastic barriers topped with barbed wire blocking the border, and the Mobile Field Force, a riot control team, was deployed when a large group of migrants threatened to make a mass entry.
Also, there were temporary disruptions when groups of migrants showed up at two other border bridges in El Paso, the Stanton Bridge and the Bridge of the Americas.
By 5:30 p.m., most of the crowd had returned to Mexico, but the bridge remained closed to vehicle traffic as pedestrians could be seen walking to the port of entry.
Moreover, Mexican National Guard troops stood to watch on the southern side of the border. By 6:30 p.m., the bridge had reopened to vehicles.
In a nutshell, the incident highlights the ongoing challenge of managing migration at the US-Mexico border, as well as the difficulties faced by migrants seeking asylum in the US.
The clash left several migrants and officers injured, and several arrests were made. The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement condemning the use of false information to incite unrest and violence.
“We urge all individuals to seek accurate and reliable information from official sources before taking any action,” the statement said.
The incident also demonstrates the challenges faced by both migrants and law enforcement officers in managing border security.
To mention, the US government has been grappling with the issue of immigration for many years, and the situation at the border has become increasingly complex in recent years.
The US has urged all parties to work together towards finding a humane and just solution to the immigration crisis. It is important to respect the laws of the United States and to avoid engaging in actions that may cause harm to oneself or others.
The state also extended its deepest sympathies to those who were injured in the incident and called on all parties to exercise restraint and work towards a peaceful resolution of the situation.
