U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has taken swift action in response to a recently surfaced video that appears to show a Border Patrol agent cutting through razor wire on private property to facilitate the passage of illegal immigrants.
The video, posted by Fox News correspondent Bill Melguin on Friday, captures a federal official in Eagle Pass, Texas, cutting the razor wire installed by the state, allowing migrants to enter for processing after crossing the border illegally.
NEW: Video from source in Eagle Pass shows Border Patrol cutting through razor wire placed by the state of TX to allow migrants to enter & be processed after crossing illegally. @TxDPS tells me this is the first time they know of this happening, and that it’s being looked into… pic.twitter.com/jESPbzj9sw
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 30, 2023
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed the video was filmed on private property, where they obtained permission from the owner to deploy razor wire and detain illegals for trespassing. A CBP official stated the Border Patrol encountered a group of migrants, including several small children, during a routine patrol along the Rio Grande.
To swiftly apprehend them and ensure their safety in the sweltering heat, they claim the razor wire needed to be cut. A spokesperson from CBP emphasized the federal government’s responsibility to enforce U.S. immigration laws, affirming the individuals in question had already crossed the Rio Grande onto U.S. soil.
But despite the federal government’s approach of processing migrants on U.S. soil, preventing their immediate deportation, the Texas DPS, under the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), adopts a different stance. They are actively employing physical barriers to block migrants from entering the state.
Notably, the current fiscal year, spanning from October 2022 through September 2023, has witnessed a staggering number of encounters with illegal migrants at the southern border. Border patrol officials have reportedly encountered over 1.6 million such individuals, underscoring the continued significance of immigration policy and enforcement.
The incident captured in the video has sparked debates on immigration practices, with some praising the federal government’s commitment to a free for all, while others support the Texas DPS’s measures to deter illegal crossings and crime rates.
Strengthening border security holds significant importance for both US citizens and illegal immigrants, as it directly impacts the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the immigration process.
Often, those crossing the border illegally face perilous journeys that expose them to various dangers, including extreme weather conditions, criminal networks, and exploitation by smugglers. For US citizens, a robust border security system helps protect the nation from potential security threats, such as illegal drugs, human trafficking, and potential acts of terrorism.
