El Paso has once again reported the highest number of migrant encounters in the United States for May, continuing a four-month streak. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, agents in the El Paso Sector recorded 2,014 illegal entries last month, placing it ahead of other major border zones such as Tucson, Arizona, with 1,588, and the Rio Grande Valley Sector in South Texas, with 1,439.
Stretching from Hudspeth County, Texas, to the state lines of New Mexico and Arizona, the El Paso Sector remains at the forefront of migrant activity despite a reported 93 percent decrease in total border apprehensions compared to the previous year. In May, federal authorities recorded a total of 8,725 apprehensions across the southern border — a significant decline, but smuggling activity persists on both sides of the Rio Grande.
A large majority of those apprehended in El Paso continue to be Mexican citizens. In May alone, CBP detained 1,441 migrants from Mexico, compared to 309 Guatemalan nationals. Migrants from other countries made up just 1 percent of the total encounters in the sector.
Despite the drop in migrant traffic overall, Mexican authorities say they still face challenges in controlling illegal migration and human smuggling networks. Gilberto Loya, the Public Safety Director for the Mexican state of Chihuahua, said the current trend has shifted away from large, visible migrant caravans to more discreet operations. However, smugglers remain active and dangerous.
“We’re still seeing people being held captive by smugglers,” Loya said during a press conference. “Over the last four weeks alone, Chihuahua police rescued groups of migrants from stash houses in Juarez, the Juarez valley, and near the Santa Teresa border crossing. In many cases, migrants were not allowed to leave until their families paid more money than originally agreed upon.”
U.S. authorities have responded to these threats with enhanced enforcement. Last month, military buffer zones were set up just north of the border wall in El Paso. Federal officials believe these new zones will help reduce smuggling and protect migrants from exploitation.
Interim El Paso Sector Chief Walter N. Slosar issued a warning to would-be migrants during a recent public briefing. “Don’t place yourselves in the hands of smugglers and traffickers,” he said. “They will take advantage of you, lie to you, and cannot guarantee you safe entry — legally or illegally. If you want to come to the United States, look for a lawful way to do it.”
Despite all efforts to curb illegal entries, El Paso remains a major crossing point for migrants. While the decrease in overall numbers at the southern border may offer some relief, both U.S. and Mexican officials acknowledge that the smuggling crisis continues to evolve — and remains a serious concern.