Mobs of illegal immigrants from Cuba and elsewhere on Monday shut down the Juarez-El Paso port of entry, where hundreds rushed through traffic barriers in a chaotic scene well before sunrise.
couple hundred immigrants, predominantly from cuba, caused the juarez-el paso international port of entry to shut down this morning. their stupid decisions accomplish nothing else than to inconvenience those who have to legally cross the border. #elpaso #SantaFe #juarez #CBP pic.twitter.com/5v5Rr6mUKn
— rogelio (@rogeliowoya) July 1, 2019
“couple hundred immigrants, predominantly from cuba, caused the Juarez-el paso international port of entry to shut down this morning,” Twitter user rogelio posted. “Their stupid decisions accomplish nothing else than to inconvenience those who have to legally cross the border.”
The video shows scores screaming in Spanish and whistling as they pushed past simple gates to block vehicle traffic, though it’s unclear whether they were blocked from entering the U.S.
Here’s another angle showing members of the Mexican military standing by and doing nothing as the migrants rushed the checkpoint:
https://twitter.com/cscindysees/status/1145790601771794432?s=11
Customs and Border Protection confirmed the chaos Monday morning on Twitter.
Northbound vehicular traffic at the Paso Del Norte crossing is stopped because of protests on the Mexican side of the border. Northbound pedestrian lanes are open. Travelers should consider using the Bridge of the America, Ysleta, Santa Teresa or Tornillo ports of entry.
— CBP West Texas (@CBPWestTexas) July 1, 2019
“Northbound vehicular traffic at the Paso Del Norte crossing is stopped because of protests on the Mexican side of the border,” CBP West Texas posted shortly after 8 a.m. “Northbound pedestrian lanes are open. Travelers should consider using the Bridge of the America, Ysleta, Santa Teresa or Tornillo ports of entry.”
KTSM reports border officials managed to maintain control of the situation using armored vehicles, a helicopter, and backup from El Paso police and numerous federal agencies.
BRIDGE PROTEST CLOSURE: Armored vehicles are now deployed to the top of the Paso Del Norte Bridge in Downtown El Paso after a group of protesters came onto the bridge early this morning. The port of entry is still closed in both directions. #ElPaso https://t.co/7onrxUEWAB pic.twitter.com/s5v8UJh6od
— KTSM 9 News (@KTSMtv) July 1, 2019
“Armored vehicles are now deployed to the top of the Paso El Norte Bridge in Downtown El Paso after a group of protesters came onto the bridge early this morning,” the news site posted. “The port of entry is still closed in both directions.”
By about 10:30 a.m., the situation had improved.
Vehicle traffic now slowly flowing at El Paso port of entry PDN crossing. Four inspection booths open. Pedestrians have been crossing since 5:25 a.m.
— CBP West Texas (@CBPWestTexas) July 1, 2019
“Vehicle traffic now slowly flowing at El Paso port of entry PDN crossing,” CBP West Texas wrote. “Four inspection booths open. Pedestrians have been crossing since 5:25 a.m.”
CBP officials told KTSM federal agents “hardened” the border with concrete barriers and concertina wire across all lanes of traffic just before 2 a.m. as a “large and unruly group formed on the Mexican side of the crossing and posed a threat to overrun the facility.”
Witnesses told the news site about 300 migrants attempted to storm across the bridge chanting “Vamos a Cruzar,” Spanish for “we’re going to cross.”
“KTSM’s Juarez correspondent confirmed the group consisted of about 250 Cubans and El Salvadoran migrants who had been gathered at the port since about midnight,” the site reports. “Witnesses in Mexico say CBP was apparently expecting the group and allegedly fired tear gas at the crowd to disperse them.”
According to CNN:
The El Paso crossing is one of the busiest in the United States. In 2018, almost 12.4 million personal vehicles carrying more than 22.2 million passengers entered the United States via the crossing, according to the US Department of Transportation. Another 7.2 million pedestrians entered the country there. Only the San Ysidro crossing in San Diego boasted more pedestrians and personal vehicles.
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