Border Patrol sees slight decrease in apprehensions and rescues

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - An El Paso County Judge testified before the House of Judiciary Committee on how they are handling the influx of migrants along their border and although the decision for Title 42 is still up in the air, many migrants continue to risk it all trying to enter the country illegally.

When the sun goes down, the men and women in green are ready for action, especially in the Laredo Sector.

Laredo Border Patrol Agent Edgar Fulgham has seen it all from adults to people getting injured and even succumbing to death.

“Our subjects will head down to the closest proximity to the city to cross individuals into the neighborhood and our agents are challenged, due to the fact that they have a short lifespan of response to be able to get there to the individuals,” said Fulgham.

KGNS News followed Agent Fulgham to Chacon Creek where he received an alert about a group of undocumented individuals crossing the border illegally.

“We can see them that they run across right here and they jumped back into the creek,” said Fulgham.

With the help of the Texas National Guard, the agents were able to apprehend a young man in his 20 or 30′s and saved a six-year-old who was separated from his father.

Whenever a minor is involved, agents try to get as much information as possible.

“We already have a name that the agents can be aware in the event of if we apprehend the father because he is still out there and this six year old is still without his father,” Said Fulgham.

Agent Fulgham said danger for migrants and agents is at an all-time high, especially during the evening hours.

According to U.S. Border Patrol, in 2021, the Laredo Sector Border Patrol arrested over 100,00 undocumented people, rescued more than 7,000 of them and seized 45 weapons.

However, in 2022, those numbers decreased for the Laredo Sector.

Border Patrol agents arrested more than 106,000 undocumented individuals, rescued more than 6,000 of them and seized over 26 weapons.

During a ride along with Border Patrol, agents caught Manuel Hernandez Moreno, a man from Chiapas Mexico, who traveled all the way to the City of Nuevo Laredo and crossed the river by himself.

Moreno said that he cross the border by himself and the coyotes pointed him toward the river.

Like Moreno, many migrants are unaware the dangers of crossing the river illegally.

While the agency is relieved the numbers are not what they used to be, they are not letting their guard down.

“Even though there is a decrease, the threat is always there,” said Fulgham.

While the number of migrants crossing is less than El Paso’s, Agent Fulgham said they are in desperate need of more boots on the ground to help with the ongoing influx.

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