(NewsNation) — At three of the busiest sectors along the U.S.-Mexico border, many migrants are trying to get through before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated in January, as he’s promised mass deportations.
At the El Paso Sector, which spans 268 miles, Border Patrol reported having 10,820 encounters with migrants.
In the Sunland Park, New Mexico, part of the sector, NewsNation crews hiked up a bluff where human smuggling is rampant.
Walking back down, they saw three men in dark clothing with backpacks walking over from Mexico. After following their route, NewsNation crews met them at a bend, where the men took off running. NewsNation alerted Border Patrol.
Another man was standing on the Mexico boundary with an AR-style rifle. Law enforcement said he was likely helping the three men who were running.
When NewsNation left the scene, multiple shots were reportedly fired at members of the Texas military on the U.S. side. No injuries were reported.
People living in the area say they want a change on the border.
“If they come in legally, that’s fine, but I know it’s too many of them that are here (illegally) and causing crime and all that in this town, especially the downtown area,” one resident said.
Officials on the Border react to Trump win
After Trump won the 2024 presidential election, GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott congratulated him on his victory and said he’ll work with his administration to secure the Texas border. Abbott started putting up barriers on the Texas side of the border to essentially wall off New Mexico.
In Texas, though, the Del Rio Sector has its own border issues. Groups of up to 300 people have been crossing. And just last week, the Texas military deployed PepperBalls toward a group of 45 who had just crossed the Rio Grande.
Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, meanwhile, shared her disappointment, noting concerns about the next four years but calling for bipartisan cooperation.
In El Paso, opinions are mixed, with local leaders and community groups acknowledging the need to address border issues together despite differing perspectives.
