BREAKING: For the first time, @TxDPS & the TX National Guard captured a human smuggler who was using a raft to bring 7 illegal immigrants across the Rio Grande in Roma, TX. The 17 y/o smuggler fought troopers. A 45 y/o illegal resisted & is a previously deported felon. @FoxNews
The operation was conducted Tues night. The raft was full of single adult illegal immigrants. Per @TxDPS, one of them was Jose Rafael Ramos Portillo of El Salvador, a previously deported felon for sexual assault. Texas Rangers will seek extra charges on him for resisting arrest.
The smuggler guiding the raft was a 17-year-old from Mexico who has been arrested twice before for human smuggling, per @TxDPS. I’m told he fought with troopers when they moved to apprehend him. He will be charged w/ assault on a public servant, resisting, & human smuggling.
The other 6 illegal immigrants in the raft were turned over to Border Patrol.
This is the first time an operation like this has been conducted by Texas law enforcement during this border crisis. There had been hesitations before w/ worries smugglers would flip rafts w/ kids.
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NEW/THREAD: According to Border Patrol documents provided by a source, the federal gov has released over 70,000 illegal immigrants into the U.S. since August 6, including 31,977 released via parole (temp legal status, eligible for work permits).
94,570 released via NTR since 3/20
Additionally, the documents show that on a single day in Del Rio sector, (September 28th), 128 single adult illegal immigrants were released from Border Patrol custody *without* ATD (alternatives to detention), which include tracking mechanisms like ankle monitors. @FoxNews
Under federal law, parole for non citizens is done on a case by case basis, and only for “urgent humanitarian reasons” or “significant public benefit”. Former U.S. BP Chief Rodney Scott tells me he only granted 5-10 per year as a sector chief. Biden admin 31,977 did in 2 months.
NEW: We are embedded with the Texas National Guard in Roma, TX. The sun hasn’t even gone down yet and we are already seeing multiple rafts full of illegal immigrants crossing over into the US. We also heard sporadic automatic gunfire coming from the Mexican city across. @FoxNews
The spot we are in is the same spot where cartel gunmen w/ AK 47s were taunting National Guard soldiers the other day. The soldiers tell us the gunmen were racking the slides on their weapons and were yelling in Spanish that they should shoot them. @FoxNews
Nonstop rafts coming across full of illegal immigrant families. The smugglers are in a playful mood, laughing and making jokes to our cameras. This one is saying “money” and making the cash sign with his hands. @FoxNews
NEW: Lots of runners out in the brush here in Penitas tonight. There are illegal immigrants laying down and hiding all in this field we are in near a Texas neighborhood. We are embedded with a @TxDPS Trooper who is helping Border Patrol find them. Mostly single men. @FoxNews
More illegal immigrants being caught. They are all over the place in this field. @FoxNews
BREAKING: Our drone is back over the international bridge in Del Rio, TX. Per source, the number of migrants waiting to be processed has now swelled to approx 8,200. It was 4,000 yesterday AM. Doubled in one day. BP overwhelmed, & I’m told situation is “out of control” @FoxNews
Law enforcement source on the ground at the bridge this morning just sent me this video showing the situation there. I’m told a large majority of the migrants are Haitians and more are crossing into the US and arriving at the bridge by the minute. BP w/ limited manpower @FoxNews
NEW: Another stunning image from our @FoxNews drone team showing the situation at the international bridge in Del Rio, TX, where a law enforcement source tells me there are more than 8,000 migrants waiting to be processed by Border Patrol after crossing illegally into the U.S.
**NEW**: After an incident at a Whataburger, police in La Joya, TX say they’ve learned illegal immigrants who test positive for COVID-19 are being released from federal custody to a local Catholic charity in the RGV which then places them in local hotels without notice. @FoxNews
FOX News has reached out to the charity and is waiting to hear back. On Saturday morning, our crew in the RGV shot video of Border Patrol dropping off dozens of migrants at the charity in downtown McAllen.
A local journalist in the RGV reports that one local politician, the Hidalgo County Judge, has released a statement on this.
NEW: An absolutely massive group of 350+ migrants have arrived at the border fence here in Del Rio. They are from all around the world. Haiti. Africa. Brazil. Colombia. Very few from Northern Triangle. More are streaming down the path from the Rio Grande after crossing. @FoxNews
This couple is from Ghana. They speak English. She is a baker, he is an electrician. They left Ghana in January. Flew into Brazil. Went through Bolivia, eventually got to Mexico, then made their way here to the border. They’re planning to go to Hartford, CT. @FoxNews
Another journalist here asked this migrant what she thinks about President Biden. She responded “Gracias al Presidente Biden por la oportunidad de venir aqui ahora.”
(Thanks to President Biden for the opportunity to come here now.)
Some tell us now is the time to come. @FoxNews