EL PASO, Texas – Texas National Guard Soldiers, assigned to Task Force West, are holding the line along the Texas and Mexico border. Illegal migrant turn backs into Mexico have been increasing in the past weeks.
A turn back is when an unlawful border crosser demonstrates an intent to cross or crosses unlawfully into the United States and responds to Texas National Guard efforts by returning promptly to their point of origin. February turn back events are averaging 130 events per day thus far for the month in Task Force West.
There are several factors contributing to the increase in turn backs. Increased roving patrols and static security point locations allow Soldiers to respond to reported illegal border crossings in a timely manner. As the illegal crossers are interdicted, they are instructed to return to the Mexico side of the border or face referral to state law enforcement partners.
Another key contributor to blocking and deterring illegal border crossings is the emplacement of border barrier systems. The Guard engineer units, known as Special Response Teams, have installed over 25 miles of triple strand concertina wire in El Paso alone. Included in this area is an additional eight miles of reinforced c-wire, which adds to the ability of the security forces to turn back illegal border crossers.
Anti-climb barrier, finished with razor wire on the top, is added as an additional layer of barrier to complete the systems. The engineers in Task Force West have installed almost two miles of ACB and continue to work the project daily.
“If illegal border crossers make it through the c-wire, the panels serve as a secondary obstacle,” said Staff Sgt. Bowman, SRT 4 non-commissioned officer. “The panels keep the illegal border crossers in [no man’s] land.”
Once the illegal migrant crossers are corralled between the wire and the ACB, roving patrols respond to the area to interdict the group(s). The group is instructed to return to Mexico and enter through a US Port of Entry for asylum claims.
Joint Task Force Lone Star has currently constructed approximately 112 miles of concertina wire and over 72 miles of fencing along the southwest border from El Paso to Brownsville. Almost eight miles of ACB has been installed to reinforce barriers, with many more miles planned.
The Texas National Guard remains ready to surge equipment, capabilities and personnel anywhere along the Texas – Mexico border to deter mass illegal migration and stop transnational criminal organizations.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.19.2024 12:04 |
| Story ID: | 465903 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Texas National Guard Ramping Up Turn Backs, by MAJ Michael Perry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
