U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to face escalating challenges at the southern border, regularly apprehending gang members, convicted felons, and Special Interest Aliens attempting to enter the country illegally. Recent arrests in the El Paso sector provide a glimpse into the ongoing crisis.
On January 3, agents arrested a Mexican national and member of the Latin Kings gang with a violent history. Previously convicted of aggravated battery in Colorado and serving 16 years in prison, the individual had been deported but reentered illegally. Additionally, four Iranian and two Egyptian nationals designated as Special Interest Aliens were apprehended while attempting to evade detection.
Other arrests include an illegal border crosser wanted for a hit-and-run in Dallas, a convicted felon previously sentenced to 14 years for rape in Oklahoma, and an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador caught hiding in an 18-wheeler near El Paso after being deported just weeks earlier.
Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens reported that agents apprehended 115 gang-affiliated individuals over a recent three-month period. Nationwide, in December alone, Border Patrol agents arrested over 650 illegal border crossers with prior criminal convictions, including offenses such as homicide, sexual assault, weapons trafficking, and kidnapping.
From fiscal years 2021 through 2024, Border Patrol agents have apprehended over 55,100 criminal noncitizens, nearly 5,000 of whom had outstanding warrants. Additionally, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identified more than 662,000 criminal foreign nationals for deportation, with offenses ranging from homicide (14,914) to sexual assault (20,061) and weapons charges (16,820).
The staggering figures underline the persistent security concerns at the southern border, with Border Patrol agents playing a critical role in safeguarding U.S. communities. As the Biden administration faces mounting scrutiny over its immigration policies, the data underscores the need for robust enforcement and comprehensive border security measures.
