Migrants are using an extensive maze of tunnels after illegally crossing into West Texas from Mexico to avoid apprehension by Border Patrol Agents. This known cartel human smuggling route is a dangerous one that sometimes ends in death.
This twisting and turning underground labyrinth is estimated by local media to “span 300 miles.” It extends from the Rio Grande in El Paso to the Franklin Mountains outside the city. It’s designed as a storm drain, which prevents urban flooding from thunderstorms in the border city.
Migrants who illegally crossed into Texas exit the El Paso storm drain system (October 18, 2024).Photo byU.S. Border Patrol
Large groups of migrants have been using the storm drains in the hope of evading Border Patrol officers as recently as Friday, October 18, 2024. On that day, Border Patrol Agents – aided by El Paso Police Officers apprehended a group of 21 migrants as they exited the drain system.
Border Patrol Agent guards 21 migrants who tried to avoid capture by using the storm drain system (October 18, 2024).Photo byU.S. Border Patrol