On the occasion of International Migrants Day, the U.S. Border Patrol found itself debunking widespread rumors suggesting the southwest border would be open for migration. A press release from the organization clarified, "Rumors circulating on social media that areas between the ports of entry on the southwest border will be open for migration due to the International Migrant’s Day are patently false," as reported by City Desk, emphasized the need for migrants to disregard misinformation, which was said to originate from transnational criminal organizations.
Contrary to what the rumors have suggested, Border Patrol agents have continued their regular duties of managing border crossings and maintaining security. In trying to safeguard the trust in official information, the agency made it clear through statements, as covered by KFOX-TV, that the misinformation being circulated by transnational criminal organizations, aims to deceive migrants for nefarious purposes. Unbeknownst to the truth, several migrants gathered at the border with hopes raised by misleading prospects.
The situation escalated when migrants in Juárez, acting on the same hearsay, attempted to cross into the U.S. Local authorities, including Mexico National Guard members and officers from the Juárez Municipal Police Department, arrived to manage the crowds and prevent border incidents, as detailed by KVIA. Efforts to keep the situation under control also involved Mexico National Migration Institute agents who were on the scene assisting in the morning.
In response to the gatherings, members of the Texas National Guard deployed non-lethal means to disperse the crowd. "Members of the Texas National Guard deployed pepper spray this morning to disperse the crowd and avoid any incidents," according to KVIA. The use of force, a reflection of policy and not of the day's commemoratory nature, was a measure seen to maintain order as misinformation had inadvertently led some to clash with immigration policies in real time.
