Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 Closed Sunday, January 2, 2022 for 1-2 Hours Due to Migrants Seeking Asylum
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2022
United States Customs and Border Protection Eagle Pass, Texas Port of Entry Director Paul Del Rincon announced the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 was temporarily closed at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2022 for 1-2 hours due to a large group of migrants and refugees between 150-200 people attempted to enter the United States from Mexico mistakenly advised the United States was going to begin offering asylum, forcing CBP Officers to rush implementing a Code Red alert and install concrete barriers and riot team at the U.S.-Mexico international boundary line to quash any unlawful entry by the migrants.
Del Rincon stated the migrants had been misrepresented to them by unknown individuals in Mexico that the U.S. was going to begin granting asylum or asylum interviews at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry through International Bridge No. 2, causing a large group of migrants to rush onto the bridge at Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico and overwhelming the Mexican security measures and forces.
Eagle Pass CBP Officers repelled the large group of migrants from gaining entry into the United States at the international boundary line. The migrants were returned to Mexico by Mexican immigration officials and Mexican military troops.
Del Rincon added that at the time of the incident, the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 was experiencing heavy traffic volumes from U.S. residents and citizens returning from Mexico after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The wait time to cross from Mexico into the United States at the moment of the incident was 2-3 hours, which was extended to 5-6 hours for travelers who were waiting in line to cross as a result of the incident and the 1-2 hours closure of the bridge.
Del Rincon noted CBP Officers have been conducting riot control drills for over two years in the event of such an incident as January 2nd’s were to occur, citing the drills have prepared and provided experience to CBP Officers in repelling such incidents.
Del Rincon asked the thousands of migrants gathered in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico to remain patient and follow the American asylum process while waiting in Mexico and avoid such incidents.
According to the U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector, an estimated 800 to 1,200 migrants are being detained daily by sector agents in recent months representing over 60 countries around the world.
