12 Russian Undocumented Immigrants Rent a Van in Mexico to Drive Past CBP Officers at Bridge and Ask for Political Asylum in Eagle Pass, Texas

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2019

A group of 12 Russian citizens entered the United States as undocumented immigrants at the Eagle Pass, Texas Port of Entry on the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, July 22, 2019 after renting a passenger van in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico in order to drive past U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers stationed at the international boundary line on the bridge and reach U.S. Immigration inspection to request political asylum.

The clever scheme utilized by the Russian undocumented immigrants pierced tight national security measures previously implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at both international bridges in Eagle Pass, Texas. Previously, undocumented immigrants had used a Mexican taxi cab to drive them past the American CBP officers guarding the international boundary line between the U.S. and Mexico and another group earlier had run past the CBP officers into the Eagle Pass Port of Entry for Immigration inspection.

Earlier last week, Eagle Pass Port of Entry Director CBP Officer Paul Del Rincon had given an interview to the press that any undocumented immigrant who crossed into the United States by an automobile, vehicle, or running without inspection of the CBP officers stationed at the international boundary line would be charged with a criminal offense of illegal entry into the United States, have the vehicle confiscated, face possible prison time and a fine, and deportation to their country of origin.

Undocumented immigrants have resorted to strategic schemes and ruses to be able to enter into the United States from Mexico since the Trump administration implemented the Zero Tolerance, Return to Mexico and Wait for Asylum, and now expedited removal policies, which are currently being challenged in federal courts across the country.

The 12 Russian undocumented immigrants are being taken to federal district court in Del Rio, Texas where it is expected they will be charged with a criminal offense of illegal entry and face some prison time, a fine, and removal unless they successfully apply for political asylum or some other legal immigration relief.