More Than 2,200 People Apprehended At Border Over Memorial Day

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested more than 2,200 people attempting to cross the border illegally over the Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day was the busiest in the boot heel of New Mexico after a large group of over 200 people were apprehended near the Antelope Wells Port of Entry just after 2 a.m., CBP said in a news release.

A second large group was one of the largest in El Paso Sector with more than 430 people. This group crossed the border just west of Bowie High School at around 7 a.m., CBP added.

By the end of the day, the El Paso Sector Agents had apprehended over 2,200 people with 1,850 of those being taken into custody in the geographic area between Executive Boulevard and Midway Street in El Paso, CBP said. The groups were comprised of mostly Central American families and unaccompanied children.

All of the people were taken into custody for processing to include initial medical screenings. They will remain in U.S. Border Patrol custody until they are processed accordingly.

This fiscal year to date the El Paso Sector has arrested over 130 thousand people attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, compared to over 16,000 during the same time last fiscal year.

"The numbers continue to rise and agents see no end in sight for this current situation," CBP said. "The men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol will continue to uphold the oath they made to this county by apprehending all of those who attempt to enter our country illegally. "

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509 toll free.