After more online rumors that migrants would be allowed entry to the United States, hundreds of children and babies were thrown across a section of the river that divides Mexico and the United States on Wednesday afternoon, according to the New York Post.
According to the United States Border Patrol, thousands of migrants, mostly from Venezuela, rushed to El Paso’s southern border on Wednesday.
Social media circulated rumors that migrants would be allowed entry to the United States if they surrendered to Border Patrol agents and asked for asylum. These false statements caused thousands of migrants to storm the southern border in an attempt to reach “the front line” and get to the United States.
Border Patrol confirmed that it is still following the Trump-era Title 42 policy. This allows agents to expel some migrants who have entered the U.S. illegally from Cuba, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Raul Ortiz, Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, posted on Twitter Wednesday that “people should not believe smugglers and others claiming that the borders are open.” People should not travel dangerously across borders as they are closed. Illegal immigrants are subject to repatriation and expulsion.
Ortiz also tweeted that agents had completed nearly 8,000 rescues at the southern border between October 2022 and February 2023.
Wednesday’s frenzy is the second instance this month of false claims on social media causing an influx of migrants to overwhelm El Paso.
A group of about 1,000 migrants invaded the El Paso international bridge on March 12. To stop the large crowd, Border Patrol deployed concrete barriers, barbed wire, and officers wearing riot gear.
According to migrants who stormed the southern border, they saw a post on social media that claimed that individuals with severe circumstances or children would be allowed entry to the United States.
Officials now suspect that the false post was used by Mexican drug cartels to divert attention from the border crossing. It directed migrants to cross into the U.S.
It stated, “Don’t miss the opportunity.”
Customs and Border Protection claims that migrants were “once more” misled by social media rumors.
Many migrants are waiting to be interviewed by CBP for asylum in Juarez, where they have been living for several months.
KTSM was told by officials from Border Patrol that they would continue to process people safely, efficiently, and effectively at the border. They also continued to expel migrants under Title 42 authority of the CDC. People who are not eligible to be expelled under Title 42 and who have been processed under Title 8 authority, but do not have legal grounds to remain in the United States, will be subject to removal proceedings.
