At the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly in Eagle Pass, Texas, an unprecedented surge of migrants has created a situation of intense strain on local economies and resources. This influx, primarily seen through Eagle Pass, has become the focal point of the ongoing undocumented immigrant crisis. On December 20, 2023, a record 4,095 undocumented immigrants were encountered in a single day by the U.S. Border Patrol in the Del Rio Sector, mostly concentrated in Eagle Pass.
This significant number of migrant encounters throughout December 2023 has had far-reaching implications. The City of Eagle Pass, heavily reliant on its international bridges for revenue, faces substantial financial losses due to the temporary suspension of southbound traffic and service at the Union Pacific Railroad International Bridge. The city is losing approximately $80,000 daily, impacting not just revenues but also sales taxes and tourism. The restrictions are also causing delays of up to 12 to 14 hours for vehicular travel from Mexico into the United States.
Enforcement encounters with migrants jumped to an all-time high at the US southern border last month. Pictured: Migrants cross over razor wire on September 28 in Eagle Pass, Texas
In response to this surge and perceived policy inadequacies at the federal level, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has criticized U.S. President Joe Biden‘s approach, asserting that Biden’s “deliberate inaction” has compelled Texas to take matters into its own hands. Abbott has signed a bill allocating $1.5 billion for border wall construction and other operations, intensifying state efforts to curb illegal crossings. This move reflects a broader political struggle surrounding immigration, with Republicans conditioning foreign aid package approvals on stringent U.S. border security provisions.
Despite these state-level efforts and the severe economic impact on local communities like Eagle Pass, migrants continue to cross into the U.S. These developments come against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations in Congress over asylum limits, detention bed expansion, and deportation policies, as both parties aim to address the migrant crisis ahead of the 2024 elections.
