Attempts to illegally cross into the United States by train on the rise

EL PASO, Texas – Agents with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicated that they are detecting illegal crossings into the country on most occasions that they process a freight train arriving from Mexico. According to CBP, migrants attempt to use the rail system to enter the United States without being discovered.

Since the beginning of the current fiscal year, officers with CBP operating at the two railroad crossings in downtown El Paso have discovered a total of 292 undocumented persons on the trains. This number implies more than 60% compared to the 181 migrants who were detained during the same time period a year ago.

Throughout fiscal year 2019, CBP detained 50 people who attempted to enter the United States without inspection through railroad crossings.

Currently, CBP agents meet migrants from a variety of places, primarily from Mexico and Central America.

“We cannot emphasize how dangerous this practice is and we encourage anyone considering this not to continue with their plans,” said CBP Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “People get on the wagons and hide in places that are not designed to house human beings. Fortunately, we have not yet found anyone who has been mutilated trying this, but I am afraid that at some point we will. ”

This dangerous practice is further aggravated by the timing of the crossovers. International rail interchanges generally occur at night, between midnight and 6 a.m., so as not to affect street traffic in downtown Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

“The potential for a misstep is greatest when it’s dark and visibility is limited,” Mancha said. “Plus, they are also unprotected from the elements, including cold winter temperatures and extreme summer heat.”

Agents with CBP process the wagons arriving at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific crossings on both sides of the Paso del Norte International Bridge, just south of downtown El Paso.

Every arriving car is examined using non-intrusive X-ray technology. CBP officers also visually inspect train cars as they slowly enter the United States from Mexico. Officers are often supported by canine teams.

It should be noted that approximately 6,500 train cars enter El Paso from Mexico on a monthly basis.

During these inspections, migrants have been found on top of carriages, in empty areas of the train, holding onto the underside of the train, inside new vehicles being shipped north, and elsewhere in and around the carriages.

Detainees are generally processed immediately to return to Mexico under Title 42, unless circumstances require the application of other consequences. This may include someone who is a wanted individual or a person who has previously been formally removed from the United States attempting to re-enter.

“CBP officers remain vigilant in their efforts to stop this practice. We are also in regular communication with the rail companies and our counterparts in Mexico to work together to stop this dangerous practice, Mancha said. “Despite our best efforts, this does not appear to be slowing down at all. We hope that through advertising, people realize that they are risking their lives and, in turn, do not consider this as an option ”.