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  4. Unprecedented Volumes of Aliens Continue to Arrive as Thousands Enter Deep South Texas

Unprecedented Volumes of Aliens Continue to Arrive as Thousands Enter Deep South Texas

Release Date
Tue, 05/07/2019

Rio Grande Valley Sector Holding 7,000 in Custody 

EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to process and receive unprecedented numbers of illegal aliens entering the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector.

On Saturday, agents from Brownsville to Roma apprehended over 2,400 illegal aliens, the majority of which consist of family units and unaccompanied children who readily turn themselves in to agents.

RGV Sector Border Patrol agents continue to process unprecedented numbers of illegal aliens, mostly family units and accompanied children, including more than 2,400 in a single day and 10,000 in one week.
RGV Sector Border Patrol agents continue to
process unprecedented volumes of mostly
family units and unaccompanied alien children
arriving illegally between the ports, including
2,400 in a single day and 10,000 in one week
within the RGV Sector area of responsibility,
from Roma to Brownsville, Texas.

Over the past week, more than 10,000 illegal aliens were apprehended, making it one of the highest weekly total ever experienced in this sector. Currently, stations and processing centers are holding more than 7,000 illegal aliens in custody. At the current rate, the RGV Sector is expected to surpass the mass migration influx experienced in 2014.

Border Patrol is processing all subjects accordingly. On Saturday, the 40,000-square foot Donna Temporary Facility went operational to assist in holding family units pending transfer to ICE-ERO or HHS-ORR custody. 

“We’ve exceeded our capacity and we’re doing all we can to house migrants in a humane place and transfer them in and out in a timely fashion as none of the Border Patrol facilities, including the one in Donna, are meant to be a long term detention centers,” said Chief Rodolfo Karisch.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021