Hundreds of illegal immigrants stormed barricades along the U.S.-Mexico Border in El Paso, Texas on Thursday. The immigrants toppled Texas National Guardsmen who were attempting to block them from entering the country.
The group of migrants, who were primarily single men, can be seen pulling down fencing and razor wire in an attempt to rush the five National Guardsmen, according to a now-viral video obtained by The New York Post. The group then surged toward a second border fence, which prevented them from entering the U.S.
Footage of the incident was captured just days after Texas authorities began preparing to enact Senate Bill 4, a law passed in December 2023, enabling state and local law enforcement to arrest immigrants for illegal border crossings. However, before the law took effect, a federal appeals court blocked it mere hours after the U.S. Supreme Court said it would allow it to be implemented. Arizona’s Governor recently vetoed a similar measure that was passed by state legislators, stating that it “burdens law enforcement.”
The Post estimated the group in El Paso consisted of more than 100 migrants, though state law enforcement told Fox News that 300 or more illegal immigrants were involved in the chaotic scene. One immigrant was reportedly arrested for assaulting a Guardsman, and one family was allegedly permitted by Guardsmen to enter through the barricades.
According to The Post, one male migrant cried out and claimed to have “women and children” with him.
“We’re hungry,” he yelled at the guards. The outlet noted that the women and children had been separated and placed in another group which was “being prepared for processing to be let into the country.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared on X (formerly Twitter) that “The TX National Guard & Dept. of Public Safety quickly regained control & are redoubling the razor wire barriers.”
“DPS is instructed to arrest every illegal immigrant involved for criminal trespass & destruction of property,” he added.
The governor’s office also said, “These illegal immigrants committed crimes in Texas, and the Department of Public Safety is under instruction to arrest every illegal immigrant involved for committing criminal trespass and destruction of property.”
