Migrants storm border in El Paso, Texas, overwhelming National Guard

Hundreds of migrants stormed across the border into El Paso, Texas, this morning, overwhelming Texas National Guard soldiers as they breached razor-wire barricades in a bid to push further into the United States.

The migrants breached the National Guard’s concertina wire by covering it with clothing and cardboard. Upon entering U.S. territory, border agents loaded them into vehicles and transported them to a processing center.

• Supreme Court permits Texas police to arrest people who illegally cross the border as the SB 4 legal clash continues

Today’s rush across the border follows a period of uncertainty for law enforcement officials in Texas, as conflicting directives between state and federal authorities regarding Senate Bill 4 have left them in a state of limbo. State lawmakers initially approved SB 4, which allows law enforcement to arrest people they think are illegally crossing the Mexico border. Under this law, crossing the border illegally would be categorized as a Class B misdemeanor, carrying a potential jail sentence of up to six months. For repeat offenders, the penalties escalate to a second-degree felony, with imprisonment ranging from two to 20 years.

• EXPLAINER: What you should know about SB 4′s rollout

Late Tuesday night, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the law to go into effect, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit filed an appeal, blocking SB 4 once again.

• Texas SB 4: Read controversial immigration law’s full ruling

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in December 2023, the U.S. Border Patrol recorded nearly 250,000 encounters with migrants crossing into the United States from Mexico, marking the highest monthly total on record.

READ MORE

• Here’s what Houston-area law enforcement have to say about Senate Bill 4
• KPRC 2 Exclusive: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton reacts to Supreme Court’s SB 4 ruling
• Go behind-the-scenes of KPRC 2 Investigates’ Robert Arnold’s reporting at the border
• How would a government shutdown impact border, immigration courts?
• Migrants apprehended at Texas-Mexico border hits historic high, federal officials say; Watch KPRC 2′s team coverage here

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.