Sandy MaloneEl Paso, TX – Thousands of migrants rushed the U.S.-Mexico border at El Paso and two other nearby crossings on Sunday after a rumor circulated that immigrants would be allowed into the United States for a “day of the migrant” celebration.
Videos from the bridge crossing showed migrants began gathering at the bridge that connects Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez to El Paso at about noon on March 12, CBS News reported.
Migrants in the videos were seen screaming and running across the bridge carrying bags and wearing backpacks, many pulling little children along with them.
The mob, made up most of Venezuelans who were trying to get into the United States, told reporters they were frustrated by delays in applying for asylum after traveling thousands of miles through Central America and Mexico to get to their ultimate destination, CBS News reported.
On Sunday, around 1,000 migrants tried to rush the Paso Del Norte Bridge in El Paso, the US southern border from Mexico
They were blocked by CBP officers, tear gas and barricadespic.twitter.com/PIk1uedaR9
— Ronald Kelly (@RonK3l) March 13, 2023
But they were met at the halfway point on the bridge by U.S. border guards carrying shields behind a wall of concertina wire and barricades.
Another scene of the massive group of migrants trying to rush the border at El Paso, Texas. pic.twitter.com/msAamDnhTk
— D. Scott @eclipsethis2003 (@eclipsethis2003) March 12, 2023
The bridge was temporarily shut down while barriers were erected and a riot control team was deployed, KSAT reported.
The Stanton Bridge and the Bridge of the Americas also had to be shut down temporarily.
HAPPENING NOW: Several law enforcement agencies rush to Paso del Norte Bridge as vídeo shows migrants make a push into the United States at the #ElPaso border sector. I’ll have more information .@KFOX14 .@CBS4Local
Vídeo credit: j.josss_#kfox14 #cbs4local #mejiareports pic.twitter.com/LnldOsoDJv
— Jonathan Mejia (@MejiaKFOX_CBS) March 12, 2023
Hundreds of migrants attempted to storm the US-Mexico border, frustrated by delays and difficulties in applying for asylum.
The rush reportedly followed a rumor they would be allowed in because of supposed "day of the migrant" celebrations. pic.twitter.com/de7IiM09q3
— DW News (@dwnews) March 13, 2023
Jackson Solis, a 23-year-old Venezuelan, told reporters he’d been waiting six months to try to schedule an appointment to apply for asylum in the United States and went to the border to find out if the rumors they’d be let in were true, CBS News reported.
“We all ran and they put a fence with barbed wire around us. They threw tear gas at us,” Solis said.
Current situation in Paso Del Norte International Bridge (between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez). Migrants and CBP officers facing off in the port of entry.
Second Video from the Mexican side (Ciudad Juarez) of the international border showing migrants attempting to rush the border pic.twitter.com/aU6YAiHi8y
— Kevin smith (@KJ00355197) March 12, 2023
Two lines of Mexican troops and rolls of barbed wire, halting the rush of mostly Venezuelan migrants trying to rush the Texas border exit. pic.twitter.com/YTWhWXCKQ7
— Gen. Reality -😆🇺🇸🤩⚖️ (@WadeDav04301694) March 13, 2023
Asylum applicants must book an appointment through a U.S. Customs and Border Protection mobile app before they arrive at the border, CBS News reported.
Holly Matkin
