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US News

Migrants pouring over Texas border looking for ‘better life’, fleeing ‘bad economy’

By
Jack Morphet and
Selim Algar
Published Dec. 22, 2023, 1:08 a.m. ET

The flashpoint of the migrant crisis has become Eagle Pass in Texas — besieged with 10,000 migrants this week alone — most of whom talk about the economic opportunities over fearing for their lives back home.

A Post reporter watched Thursday morning as Alexander Mendez, 23, of Venezuela and 30 others — including women and children — crossed the Rio Grande Thursday morning.

“I am going to New York,” Mendez said, noting that his sister, aunt and cousin were joining him.

He said he already had a cousin the Empire State and hoped to carve out an improved existence in his new environment.

“I want to explore New York, work and get a better life,” he said after making the two-month journey to the border.

The group crossed the Rio Grande under the crowded Camino Real International Bridge.

“Attention, attention,” blared a loudspeaker in a pre-recorded message in Spanish.

“It is illegal to cross here. This area is secured with wire and there is no entry. Go to the bridge. It is illegal to cross here. Remain in Mexico.”

A migrant child from Venezuela smiles as she is placed onto an adults shoulders as her group prepares to cross the Rio Grande river on Dec. 21, 2023.
A migrant child from Venezuela smiles as she is placed onto an adult’s shoulders as her group prepares to cross the Rio Grande river on Dec. 21, 2023. GO NAKAMURA
Migrants walk on the river bank looking for an opening in the fence after crossing Rio Grande river in an attempt to enter the US on Dec. 21, 2023.
Migrants walk on the river bank looking for an opening in the fence after crossing Rio Grande river in an attempt to enter the US on Dec. 21, 2023. GO NAKAMURA
Hundreds of newly arrived migrants wait to be escorted by the US Border Patrol to a make-shift transit center after crossing the Rio Grande river into the US from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas on Dec. 21, 2023.
Hundreds of newly arrived migrants wait to be escorted by the US Border Patrol to a makeshift transit center after crossing the Rio Grande river into the US from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas on Dec. 21, 2023. Go Nakamura for NY Post

Officials said more than 4,000 undocumented travelers were apprehended in the Lone Star State’s Del Rio sector in past 24-hours alone.

Most will cite seeking asylum as their reason for crossing illegally into the US, which means they must have a “credible fear” of harm if they are returned to their homeland.

The 10,000 who have given themselves up to Border Patrol in Eagle Pass this week are the equivalent to roughly one third of the small town’s permanent population, putting huge strain on its resources.

Beleaguered border agents worked in vain to stem the human tsunami, hustling to repair holes in razor wire while migrants calmly scaled the barrier around them.

A migrant nearly dropped a child into the water of the Rio Grande river while crossing from Mexico into the US near Piedras Negras, Mexico on Dec. 20, 2023.
A migrant nearly dropped a child into the water of the Rio Grande river while crossing from Mexico into the US near Piedras Negras, Mexico on Dec. 20, 2023. Go Nakamura for NY Post
Babies sit atop two adults shoulders as the migrants traverse across the Rio Grande river in an attempt to enter the US on Dec. 21, 2023.
Babies sit atop two adults shoulders as the migrants traverse across the Rio Grande river in an attempt to enter the US on Dec. 21, 2023. GO NAKAMURA
An aerial photo captured a group of migrants crossing the Rio Grande river on Dec. 21, 2023.
An aerial photo captured a group of migrants crossing the Rio Grande river on Dec. 21, 2023. GO NAKAMURA

The Post observed migrants covering the barbed fencing with rugs and sweatshirts to avoid lacerations before climbing over.

Three Guatemalan men removed their shoes and socks before crossing a riverbank in the area.

“My brother has been in New York for two years,” one of them said.

“We are all going to New York.”

Migrants from Venezuela prepare themselves to cross the river during their final push to the US, in the Mexican town of Piedras Negras on Dec. 21, 2023.
Migrants from Venezuela prepare themselves to cross the river during their final push to the US, in the Mexican town of Piedras Negras on Dec. 21, 2023. GO NAKAMURA
A line of migrants were observed by The Post crossing the Rio Grande river, carrying bags of their belongings above the water on Dec. 21, 2023.
A line of migrants were observed by The Post crossing the Rio Grande river, carrying bags of their belongings above the water on Dec. 21, 2023. GO NAKAMURA
A local man dressed in Santa costume hands out snacks to migrants from Venezuela as they walk towards the town of Piedras Negras before crossing into the US on Dec. 21, 2023.
A local man dressed in Santa costume hands out snacks to migrants from Venezuela as they walk towards the town of Piedras Negras before crossing into the US on Dec. 21, 2023. GO NAKAMURA

Johan Rodriguez, 20, told The Post through an interpreter that he arrived in Piedras Negras in Mexico at the Texas border after a grueling three-month trek by foot and bicycle that began in Venezuela.

“I traveled through Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador, Panama, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and now Mexico,” he said under a baking sun Thursday after crossing over into the US and joining the crowds in Eagle Pass.

Rodriguez said he came to out America solely for economic reasons, and was not in any danger back home.

“There’s no opportunity in Venezuela,” he said.

“It’s not dangerous but the economy is bad.”

Migrants climb up on containers placed on the border as they illegally cross into the US on Dec. 21, 2023.
Migrants climb up on containers placed on the border as they illegally cross into the US on Dec. 21, 2023. GO NAKAMURA
One migrant from Venezuela told The Post he was making his way to "America solely for economic reasons, and was not in any danger back home."
One migrant from Venezuela told The Post he was making his way to “America solely for economic reasons, and was not in any danger back home.” GO NAKAMURA
After crossing the Rio Grande river, migrants were met with a wall of shipping containers with barbed wire blocking entrance to the US.
After crossing the Rio Grande river, migrants were met with a wall of shipping containers with barbed wire blocking the entrance into the US. GO NAKAMURA

Rodriguez said he had no money, but hoped to join a brother already in Maine.

He planned to cross the border in the coming days, but said he needed to rest and recuperate before his final push into the US.

“I am waiting for more family to arrive here. By the grace of God I will cross (the Rio Grande) tomorrow.”