By VALERIE GONZALEZ
EAGLE PASS, Texas — Lila sat in a shelter on the Mexico border Friday, feeling trapped. She had been waiting for three weeks to cross into Texas, but the cartels made it too dangerous to turn back and the U.S. government offered no guarantees if she continued her journey.
“They don’t ask for papers. They ask you for money,” Lila, a 39-year-old from Honduras, explained. She insisted on using only her first name due to fear of retaliation from the cartels.
Lila’s lack of good options reflects the frustration felt by both migrants and officials in U.S. cities as Border Patrol agents are overwhelmed by the arrival of large migrant groups. This week alone, over 8,000 migrants arrived at the Texas border city of Eagle Pass.
Many migrants are choosing not to wait and are crossing through the Rio Grande, risking their lives in the process. Sadly, authorities reported the death of a 3-year-old boy who drowned while attempting the crossing. As a result, an international bridge in Eagle Pass remains closed so that agents can handle the large numbers of migrants.
Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras residents noted that while their communities have been part of the immigration route for years, the size of the migrant groups now is unusual. Migrants report that they formed organically along the way, as other cities along the border have become too dangerous.
According to figures released by Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador, migrants were stopped at the border 142,037 times during the first 17 days of September, a 15% increase from the same period last month. While some people are admitted daily with a mobile app for asylum appointments called CBP One, the majority are making illegal entries.
Eric Flores, a 39-year-old migrant from Honduras, shared that he arrived in a group of about 3,000 people who dispersed to different border cities. He ended up at a Catholic shelter in Piedras Negras in the hopes of finding safety. Flores was among approximately 200 migrants at the Casa de Migrante Frontera Digna on Friday.
While some migrants only stop briefly at the border for a meal before crossing the Rio Grande, others, like Flores, wait for an appointment to seek asylum.
“We’re waiting for God to give us a sign and for our appointment to be approved so we can cross legally,” Flores said. “We want the American dream, to work and provide for our families, not to harm the country.”
The Department of Homeland Security introduced the CBP One app this year as a key tool to create a more efficient and orderly system at the border. However, Mexico’s top diplomat, Alicia Bárcena, expressed concern about migrant shelters in Ciudad Juarez, which are currently 95% full. She called for more efforts to limit migration through the Darien Gap.
The response in Eagle Pass, where the mayor declared a state of emergency, highlights how Border Patrol agents have become overwhelmed by asylum-seekers along the U.S.-Mexico border. This week, San Diego and El Paso officials also closed border crossings to divert agents to handle the influx of migrants.
After a decrease in illegal crossings following new asylum restrictions in May, President Joe Biden’s administration is once again facing challenges. Democratic mayors and governors are seeking more support for hosting asylum-seekers, while Republicans are seizing on the issue for the upcoming 2024 elections.
In August, Border Patrol made 181,509 arrests on the Mexican border, a 37% increase from July. However, this number remained relatively unchanged from August 2022 and was still below the peak of over 220,000 arrests in December. The increase was primarily driven by arrests of individuals in families with children, which reached a record high of 93,999.
“Our operational tempo along the border has increased in response to increased encounters, and we remain squarely focused on our broader security mission and enforcing U.S. immigration laws,” said Troy Miller, acting CBP commissioner.
Alicia, a 36-year-old Honduran, and her family were fortunate to secure a hard-fought appointment to present themselves at the port of entry in Eagle Pass. However, they faced challenges along the way, encountering corrupt officers who demanded bribes. Despite these obstacles, Alicia remains hopeful for a better future for her family.
Associated Press reporter Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.
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