Surge in Attacks on Border Patrol Agents in El Paso Prompts Stern Warning from U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The U.S. Border Patrol's El Paso Sector has experienced a substantial uptick in the number of attacks against its agents, prompting the agency to issue a stark reminder to perpetrators about the severe legal ramifications of assaulting federal officers. Citing statistics, the sector has reported that since the commencement of Fiscal Year 2024, there have been 66 assaults on border patrol agents, a notable increase from the 104 reported during the entire previous fiscal year.

“Assaulting federal agents is not just a crime; it is an affront to our principles of justice and the safety of our nation. The brave men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol and all our law enforcement partners that work alongside with us safeguarding our nation’s borders,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony S. Good, according to a recent release by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The agency is aggressively collaborating with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure that such offenses are prosecuted to the fullest extent, including potential consequences for assault, kidnapping, and/or murder of a federal officer as outlined in federal law 18 USC 111.

In light of the continuing influx of migrants crossing illegally into the United States, violence against federal agents has seen a corresponding surge. Border patrol agents are often met with resistance in the form of rocks, glass bottles, and in some cases, more direct physical violence. There have been recent instances where agents were met with spitting, biting, and even gunfire, with one agent within the Lordsburg area surviving a shooting thanks to his ballistic vest. The assailant in this incident was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for the attempted murder of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent.

The sector has not only been facing physical threats but also significant property damage. There are numerous reports of border patrol vehicles being extensively damaged by thrown rocks. In response to these dangers, Chief Patrol Agent Good has taken to social media to raise public awareness about the issue and the serious penalties assaulting a federal officer entails. In concert with statements from FBI El Paso Division Special Agent in Charge John S. Morales and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Alex Uballez, the sector chief has been clear in communicating the unified stance of law enforcement against these aggressions.

To maintain the safety of its agents and the integrity of the U.S. border, the Border Patrol has been forthright about bringing the full force of the law to bear on those who assault its agents. To engage the broader community in this mission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection continues to encourage citizens to play an active role by reporting suspicious activity to the Border Patrol, ensuring anonymity through the reporting hotline at 1-800-635-2509. For additional updates and information, the public can follow the El Paso Sector Chief on various social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and other online sites.